July 7, 2022
Today’s reading: 1 Kings 19:4
How God encouraged Elijah
We read in 1 Kings 19:4:
4 But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said, “It is enough! Now, LORD, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!”
We are not told exactly what Elijah felt and why he became so discouraged that he wanted to die already.
We read how Jezebel threatened his life. This could be the reason, but personally, I believe there’s a deeper reason.
Elijah might have thought that his battle against the prophets of Baal would turn Israel back to God. We remember he said:
37 Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that You are the LORD God, and that You have turned their hearts back to You again.” 1 Kings 18:37
Elijah successfully defeated the false prophets of the false gods. Yet, it seems that Israel still chose to continue in its wicked way.
This might be too much for Elijah to bear. Thus, we read how he prayed to God to take his life. This is one of those prayers that we sure are happy not to get answered.
In spite of Elijah’s negative attitude, God was patient with him. Yahweh knew how to encourage Elijah. As we can read, Yahweh talked to Elijah with a comforting, still, small voice.
Not only that, but we can see that for a person to get out of depression, God gave Elijah a job to do. He commanded him to anoint Hazael and Elisha. It’s a great way to distract Elijah from thinking of what he believes to be his failure.
I know that we all can be discouraged at times. However, discouragements are a normal part of life and when that happens, we can always go to God for encouragement, wisdom, and guidance.
Yes, discouragement might take us down, but it doesn’t mean that we should stay on the ground. We can always rise up and have courage through our Master Yahshua who strengthens us.
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