Daily Devotional for Thursday, April 10

Elijah Under a Tree and in a Cave

   “And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: and after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice,” 1 Kings 19:11, 12.

Have you ever faced a trial so overwhelming you were left disheartened and exhausted, and you just needed a spiritual nap? What did God do during that time? The Psalms give us the answer. He is our strength, our refuge, our helper, and He refreshes us. He leads us beside still waters and restores our souls.

Elijah found himself in that place of weariness. Fiery, wicked Jezebel threatened to brutally assassinate him for standing up against idolatry and false worship. Her words shook him to his core, and he ran for his life. Sitting under a tree, realizing exile was his lot, he said, “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life” (1 Kings 19:4). He was done. He was ready to abandon his commission, but God was not going to abandon him. God let him sleep and rest, and an angel cared for Elijah and prepared him for the journey of his lifetime. He was going to meet with God.

The next few verses (9-14) are well-known and often referenced. Elijah arrived and God asked, “Why are you here, Elijah? What brings you here?” Elijah felt alone in his fight for truth. Wicked Jezebel wiped out or scared away all the other prophets. Elijah’s inner fire was fizzling. Then God showed up. Everything around Elijah roared, quaked and burned like his life at the moment, but the feature presentation was God’s still small voice that rekindled his fire.

THOUGHT

Sometimes, we need a spiritual nap and a meeting with God to rekindle our weary flames.

Kelli Reynolds