Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, “May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.”
Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep. All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.”
He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again. The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” 1 Kings 19:1-7
“Once again Elijah had to run for his life. This time he headed south, over a hundred miles, past Beersheba and into the desert. After traveling all day in the desert he was tired and cried to the Lord. Take my life. Life had become meaningless.
He had expected that the victory on Carmel would lead to religious reforms in Israel, but Jezebel was determined that it would not. Elijah is not alone in feeling this way, for it is not uncommon for a period of depression to follow a very uplifting religious experience.
Th Lord graciously did not rebuke Elijah for his fear, exhaustion, and depression, but instead sent an angel to provide for his physical needs.”
Musa Gotom (Nigeria) in “1 Kings” in Africa Bible Commentary, Tokunboh Adeyemo, General Editor (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2006) 439.
I am nearly halfway through one of the most stretching trips of my life. Like Elijah, I feel like it’s running a marathon with highs and lows. His high was defeating 450 prophets of Baal.
My experiences have been indescribably good and stretching. God’s opening the eyes of people in Togo like He did in Benin. They express joy and resolve to grow as faithful stewards who follow God-honoring standards.
And the best part is the the Benin and Togo country teams we have formed will aim to maintain the momentum created by our visit. And yet, I can relate to the feeling of fear right after a huge victory of faith.
Sometimes the journey is too much for a person. I shot the new header photo while waiting for my ride this morning. What struck me were the coconuts in the trees.
Seeing them reminded how God can supply food. That’s the generosity of our God. He knows that often we cannot make it on our own. We need help. We need a good meal. We need him to send an angel.
This is where this post relates to every person reading this. Ask God how He might want you to be an angel. For Elijah the angel gave him a meal. Is there anyone for whom you might provide a meal?
The act of kindness just might save their life. Or at least, as was the case with Elijah, it might save them from despair which can happen to anyone. Follow God’s leading. And keep Samson and I in your prayers.
We facilitate “Stations of Generosity” for a group of around 30 people in Lomé, Togo, today. Prayer that it will impact their lives and inspire them to replicate it with their networks.