1 Kings 19

I was reading in 1 Kings the other day (chpt. 18). Alot of us don't realize what that kind of ministry can do to a person. How did Elijah feel? Putting everything, everything on the line for God. Being alone (in the human sense) in that kind of ministry - he was standing for truth against 450 of Baals prophets but God was with him and is true and alive.

In the next chapter though it kind of expounds on Elijah and how he dealt with this... The queen wanted to kill him for ripping apart her idol.. (I think we all feel similar when we are exposed for having a modern day idol in our life...)

1 Kings 19:3-8
Then he was afraid, and he 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 broom tree. And he asked that he might die, saying, "It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers." And he lay down and slept under a broom tree. And behold, an angel touched him and said to him, "Arise and eat." And he looked, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. And he ate and drank and lay down again. And the angel of the LORD came again a second time and touched him and said, "Arise and eat, for the journey is too great for you." And he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of God.

Elijah wanted to die and asked the Lord to take him but then the Lord provided for him in such powerful ways... When we are doing ministry in such intense ways sometimes your spirit just longs to rest and be with the Lord and be home, for we have no home here on earth, just reflections of our true home in heaven. Elijah longed for that....

Then it gets even cooler... the food that the Lord provided him lasted him 40 days. (Sounds like when Jesus fasted 40 days in the wilderness...) then God asked him even more to go out and stand on a mountain so he could stand in the presence of the Lord....

1 Kings 19:11-18
And he said, "Go out and stand on the mount before the LORD." And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" He said,"I have been very jealous for the LORD, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away." And the LORD said to him, "Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus. And when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael to be king over Syria. And Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint to be king over Israel, and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint to be prophet in your place. And the one who escapes from the sword of Hazael shall Jehu put to death, and the one who escapes from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha put to death. Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him."

Elijah withstood a great wind, an earthquake and a fire before finally a gentle breeze brought God's presence. Do you feel sometimes that you are experiencing being hit by a strong wind, an earthquake, and fire.... Blowing everything you know away, shaking everything in your core and then burning it all up? Stay strong and keep your spirit listening for that is when God came, after all those things to speak to Elijah. God has not forgotten you. Even through the hurricanes, earthquakes and fires - He is there. When you feel you want to go home, He is there. And He will never put us through anything He will not give us the strength to give Him the glory for!!!!

To God be the glory forever and ever!

Joshua 21:45
Not one of all the Lord's good promises to the house of Israel failed; every one was ful-filled.