Blake Allen
Dunbar Cave Campus Pastor
1 Kings 19:1-11
19 Ahab told Jezebel everything that Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. 2 So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “May the gods punish me and do so severely if I don’t make your life like the life of one of them by this time tomorrow!” 3 Then Elijah became afraid and immediately ran for his life. When he came to Beer-sheba that belonged to Judah, he left his servant there, 4 but he went on a day’s journey into the wilderness. He sat down under a broom tree and prayed that he might die. He said, “I have had enough! Lord, take my life, for I’m no better than my ancestors.” 5 Then he lay down and slept under the broom tree. Suddenly, an angel touched him. The angel told him, “Get up and eat.” 6 Then he looked, and there at his head was a loaf of bread baked over hot stones, and a jug of water. So he ate and drank and lay down again. 7 Then the angel of the Lord returned for a second time and touched him. He said, “Get up and eat, or the journey will be too much for you.” 8 So he got up, ate, and drank. Then on the strength from that food, he walked forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mountain of God. 9 He entered a cave there and spent the night. Suddenly, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 10 He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God of Armies, but the Israelites have abandoned your covenant, torn down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are looking for me to take my life.” 11 Then he said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the Lord’s presence.”
Have you ever felt like Elijah? Tired, ready to quit, depressed, frustrated at life, scared, or alone? I’m sure we have gone through times like in our life. Elijah was on the run for his life. Many of his people abandoned God and worshiped Baal. And for whatever reason, he feel into an unhealthy state of mind and life. He even asked the Lord to take his life which is pretty ironic considering he fled Jeezbel to preserve his life. And in this state, the Lord began to minister to him in a few ways.
First, Elijah needed food and rest. Sometimes that is exactly what we need for a reset, a holy nap. After a long stent of ministry, Elijah needed rest and food. An angel of the Lord appeared to him and provided bread and water. The angel of the Lord told him to get up and eat or the journey will be too much for you. God knows just what we need.
Second, God called Elijah to go on the mountain of the Lord into His presence. Not only do we need to take care of ourselves physically, but also spiritually. We need to rest in His presence at all times. God refuels us so that we can press on. Life apart from the presence of God is indeed draining. But life with God will lead to refreshment.
Physical and spiritual provision comes from Him. Rest in Him always.