Elijah,After the Victory
Fresh off his greatest victory, Elijah ran for his life and told God he had had enough. See how God met His exhausted prophet with sleep, food and a gentle whisper.
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Right after the mountaintop, Elijah hit bottom.
On Mount Carmel, Elijah watched fire fall from heaven. Soon after, one threat from Jezebel sent him running into the wilderness, where he sat under a broom bush and told God he had had enough. Burnout often comes right after our biggest wins.
Get up and eat
Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep. All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.”1 Kings 19:5 · NIV
God’s first answer to His exhausted prophet was not a lecture. An angel woke him with bread and water, let him sleep again, and came back a second time because the journey was too much for him.
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 19:7 · NIV
Not in the fire, but a whisper
At Horeb, God passed by in a wind, an earthquake and a fire. But He was not in any of them. Then came a gentle whisper.
After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.1 Kings 19:12 · NIV
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.Matthew 11:28 · NIV
God didn’t scold His tired prophet. He let him sleep, fed him, then spoke gently.
God’s care came in order
First rest, then food, then His presence, then a new purpose and a friend in Elisha. God cared for Elijah’s body before He sent him back to work.
for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.Psalm 103:14 · NIV
A prayer when you’re worn out
Father, I am tired, and some days I want to quit. Thank You that You know how I am made. Give me rest, feed my soul, and speak to me in the quiet. Send me the people I need, and help me get up again. Amen.
Pray it when you’re running on emptyWhen you’re running on empty
- Rest without guiltSleep and food are not unspiritual. God gave them to Elijah first.
- Get quietTurn down the noise long enough to hear His gentle whisper.
- Don’t go it aloneGod gave Elijah a friend in Elisha. Tell one trusted person how you’re really doing.
but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.Isaiah 40:31 · NIV
Are you pushing through what God wants to restore?
Where are you running on empty? Choose one way to rest this week, and tell one trusted person how you are really doing. If you feel hopeless or have thoughts of not wanting to live, please reach out today to someone you trust, or call or text 988 in the US.
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Scripture quotations taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.