Thursday, June 18

THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 2020


"Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper." (1 Kings 19:11b,12)


In today's passage, we read of Elijah's near-burnout. As Chapter 19 opens, we find Elijah under threat from Ahab and Jezebel. He responds in fear and runs "for his life." Leaving his servant in Beersheba, he takes a day's-length trip into the wilderness. Falling bereft and overwhelmed in God's presence, he resigns himself: "I have had enough, LORD. Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors."

Have you ever found yourself in a similar state as Elijah? Having poured yourself out for the "right" cause, you feel defeated and alone. In these moments, only God's touch can heal. Indeed, seeing Elijah in this state, God intervenes by sending an angel to bring nourishment and provisions. He then head son a 40-day, 40-night journey to "Horeb, the mountain of God."

In a cave on that mountain, God questions Elijah's presence. Elijah stands upon his tremendous work on God's behalf: "I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too."

Elijah then receives the message of God's presence through the sounds of diminishing volume, until He finally comes in the "gentle whisper." God then asks: "What are you doing here, Elijah?" To which, Elijah replies with a repeat of his recounting what has just transpired and his aloneness in the face of widespread opposition.

Elijah then receives great encouragement from God's call to return to the people of Israel. God had further plans for Elijah's continuation to anoint kings and prophets. Importantly, God had claimed allegiance among a wayward people: "Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel -- all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him." (v. 18)

What type of encouragement are you seeking now? What disappointments and brokenness have you recently seen? Where in the Scriptures could you find something speaking to your situation? (Not just a rhetorical question: Please feel free to reach out if you're seeking Scriptural encouragement.) Or perhaps God is calling you to lay at His feet and hear from His heart. Please do. When we are dry, our dryness may be much more than physical; we need to hear God's loving heart, beating for His people and His Kingdom purposes.


Lord God, thank You for the testimony of Elijah's turnaround. We are beleaguered and restless and needful of Your speaking into our lives. Reassure us of Your presence and Your sustaining plans. We love You and need You today. In Jesus's mighty Name, amen.




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