Last Friday my "read the Bible in a year" reading was from 1st Kings 19:1-21. Elijah was running from Ahab and Jezebel. In verse 4, Elijah came to a broom tree, 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 tree and fell asleep. Have you ever felt like that? Sometimes going to heaven early seems like a wonderful alternative to dealing with all the issues that seem to come in waves, at times.
But going on, All at once an angel touched him and said, "Get up and eat." He looked around, and there by his head was a cake of 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." So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. What a great response by God to Elijah's request. Instead of taking his life, like Elijah had asked, God prepares a meal for him that gives him strength for a forty day journey. The scriptures do not mention that Elijah stopped to eat, or rest, but traveled non-stop until he reached Horeb. Boy, would I like to have that recipe. That is the "bread of breads". And speaking of the ultimate "bottled water".
At the height of our frustration, at the point of our giving up, God can move in with an answer and direction that we could not even envision. Elijah wanted to die, God had a grander plan. Elijah would have given up, but when God directed Him to Horeb, Eliajh experienced God's glory. Oh Lord, in the midst of my frustration and panic, help me to hear Your voice. Help me hear Your plan, O God, let me experience Your glory.
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