1 Kings 19:3-4, “Elijah was afraid, and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day’s journey into the desert. He came to a broom tree, 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.”
Elijah followed the true God and spoke up boldly for God’s truth. He was a man of faith and courage and extensively believed in God’s power in answering his prayer requests. Elijah had an intimate relationship with God, who commanded him when to move to different locations. He was the most famous of Israel’s prophets. The political rule at that time was wicked and carnal, and followed pagan gods. Yet God accomplished many miracles through Elijah – defeated prophets of Baal, answered prayer for rain, and predicted the beginning and end of a three-year drought. Yet Elijah experienced severe depression and fatigue right after two major spiritual victories over the defeat of the prophets of Baal and the miraculous answer of prayer of rain. He prayed that he might die. But he received a no answer from God, and he was one of the few men never to die, that are in the Bible. Yet how often haven’t I thought to myself, as Elijah said, “I have had enough LORD!”
“We sometimes forget that physical needs are important. Sometimes the most spiritual thing a person can do is get enough rest and replenishment.” David Guzik, Blue Letter Bible Commentary. Elijah needed rest and replenishment which God gave him under a broom tree. God had more in store for Elijah. “It is God alone who knows when we have done enough, and enjoyed enough; but we do not know.” Charles Spurgeon.
When you feel ineffective, exhausted, and you have had enough, may these verses that I have been rereading this week, uplift your emotions and encourage you also to keep keeping on:
- Psalm 42:5, “Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him for the help of his presence.”
- Psalm 18:28, “You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.”
- Psalm 25:21, “May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope is in you.”
- Philippians 1:6, “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you, will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”
I am sure in the end that Elijah was thankful God did not answer his prayer in taking his life. In 1 Kings 19:11-12, we read Elijah’s personal encounter with God. God met Elijah with a gentle whisper. Then God instructs Elijah to disciple a young man named Elisha, who was considered wealthy due to the number of oxen he owned (1 Kings 19:19-21). God’s still and quiet voice calms hearts and is more powerful in changing lives than anything or anyone else. Who knows who God wants you to minister to from the wisdom He has taught you throughout your trials? Or think about how God is working in you today as you wait on Him for a certain provision of need, after you have gotten the sufficient amount of rest that your body needs. It needs both physical and spiritual replenishment.
So maybe you have a prayer that has not been answered. Take on Psalm 46:10-11, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted above the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” God knows when you have done enough. Sit in His presence. Follow the Word that is hidden in your heart. God will speak and direct you through the Holy Spirit’s opening your mind to the hope you will find in God’s Word. Take one hour at a time and then take one day at a time. Elijah went through depression and discouragement and asked that he could die. Look how God used him still and the final answer to that prayer.
Listen to Ride the storm – Jane Evelyn (Judah Collective) Lyrics. 1 month ago.