Elijah experienced one of the greatest power encounters found in the Bible. The people of Israel have strayed far from their loyalty to God. They are led by a King and Queen who largely rebel against God and most of them are involved in the worship of the pagan God, Baal.
Elijah confronts King Ahab and challenges him to bring the people and the pagan priests together for a "power encounter". We are not told how many people gather, but there must have been thousands because there were almost a thousand priests involved. You can read this dramatic story in I Kings 18.
Surprisingly, after what is an amazing demonstration of faith (Elijah's) and of awesome power (God's), we find Elijah in a deep "depression".
"He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. 'I've had enough, Lord,' he said. 'Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.'"
God does not answer "yes". He does not take Elijah's life. Instead he allows him to sleep, eat, sleep and eat again. Elijah's physical resources were depleted and God meets this need. Then He provides a special personal spiritual encounter with Elijah. Finally he gives Elijah very encouraging news: there will soon be new kings in the land; he can find a faithful assistant in Elisha and there are 7,000 other people who have been faithful to God in the midst of the largely unfaithful nation. (See I Kings 19)
Elijah needed a new more realistic, hopeful perspective on life. His spiritual, emotional and physical weariness had caused a loss of perspective. So our loving God meets his needs and Elijah is then ready to enter "the spiritual battle".
If you are struggling right now, perhaps your perspective has been distorted. I encourage you to meditate on these two biblical chapters. God will help you to regain a proper perspective. Life and the future is much better than it appears to you right now.
Elijah confronts King Ahab and challenges him to bring the people and the pagan priests together for a "power encounter". We are not told how many people gather, but there must have been thousands because there were almost a thousand priests involved. You can read this dramatic story in I Kings 18.
Surprisingly, after what is an amazing demonstration of faith (Elijah's) and of awesome power (God's), we find Elijah in a deep "depression".
"He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. 'I've had enough, Lord,' he said. 'Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.'"
God does not answer "yes". He does not take Elijah's life. Instead he allows him to sleep, eat, sleep and eat again. Elijah's physical resources were depleted and God meets this need. Then He provides a special personal spiritual encounter with Elijah. Finally he gives Elijah very encouraging news: there will soon be new kings in the land; he can find a faithful assistant in Elisha and there are 7,000 other people who have been faithful to God in the midst of the largely unfaithful nation. (See I Kings 19)
Elijah needed a new more realistic, hopeful perspective on life. His spiritual, emotional and physical weariness had caused a loss of perspective. So our loving God meets his needs and Elijah is then ready to enter "the spiritual battle".
If you are struggling right now, perhaps your perspective has been distorted. I encourage you to meditate on these two biblical chapters. God will help you to regain a proper perspective. Life and the future is much better than it appears to you right now.
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