Today’s devotion comes from 1 Kings 19:1-8.
“Now Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So may the gods do to me and even more, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time.” And he was afraid and arose and ran for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there. But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree; and he requested for himself that he might die, and said, “It is enough; now, O LORD, take my life, for I am not better than my fathers.” He lay down and slept under a juniper tree; and behold, there was an angel touching him, and he said to him, “Arise, eat.” Then he looked and behold, there was at his head a bread cake baked on hot stones, and a jar of water. So he ate and drank and lay down again. The angel of the LORD came again a second time and touched him and said, “Arise, eat, because the journey is too great for you.” So he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mountain of God.” 1 Kings 19:1-8.
———–
Elijah was afraid and discouraged, maybe even depressed. He “ran for his life” and went into the wilderness, and “he requested for himself that he might die, and said, “It is enough; now, O LORD, take my life, for I am not better than my fathers.” Verses 1-4.
When we consider the spiritual stature of Elijah being a major prophet of God and having just experienced the tremendous spiritual victory and miracle upon Mount Carmel, and yet Elijah still became afraid and discouraged, it can help us admit that we too can become afraid and discouraged. No one is immune. We all need help from the LORD.
But, there is hope!
There was hope for Elijah in today’s text, and we have the hope of all the wonderful and magnificent promises of God and provisions of God stated in Scripture in addition.
We can be encouraged that like it was for Elijah, sometimes all that it takes for us to get started in our recovery is a first baby step of “Arise, eat.” Certainly, we should do more, and the LORD does provide more. But, we can be encouraged that when we can do no more or are not willing to do more, “Arise, eat.” can be a good first step.
There is more to “Arise, eat.” than may first appear. When we do arise and eat, we have faith that the LORD will do more, and we obey Scripture which commands us to not worry, but rather, to take one day at a time.
“Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
“So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:31-34.
“God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1.
“Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you;
He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.” Psalm 55:22.
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:6-7.
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” John 14:26-27.
“22 The LORD’S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease,
For His compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 