Elijah and the angel

1Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. 2So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, “May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.”

3Elijah was afraid^a and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, 4while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, 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.” 5Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep.

All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” 6He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again.

7The 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.” 8So 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. 9There he went into a cave and spent the night. (1 Kings 19)

Thoughts: It is amazing that Elijah had just proved that the Lord is God and all the people confirmed this.  Yet Jezebel was determined to kill Elijah and he had to run for his life.  No one supported Elijah.  He was deserted though he was proved right. He was depressed and exhausted.  As great a prophet as Elijah was, he was overwhelmed with sadness and tiredness.  The angel of the Lord came, however, to encourage and strengthen him.  He thought he was the only one left and he was to be killed.  He felt alone and deeply sad for the cause of God and for his own cause.  But God strengthened him and spoke to him words of hope in the next verses. 

Prayer: Lord, may I always find hope in you.  When I am alone, let me find hope in you.