“When you’ve had enough..”
Last week we found Elijah on his knees waiting expectantly for God to answer his prayer. God did fulfill the request and Elijah was strengthened with assurance that God was on His side, but this week we find Elijah weary, doubtful, and burnt out.
The story picks up with Queen Jezebel vocalizing her plans to kill Elijah after his fiery showdown and the disposal of her prophets by him. Elijah hightails it out of there and arrives exhausted in the middle of the desert. Mentally, physically, and spiritually drained, he sat down and cried out to God, “I have had enough Lord!” Elijah had courageously challenged arrogant prophets, smack talked an evil king and boldly proclaimed God’s name, but was now depleted and full of fear from Jezebel’s words.
Our lives may not involve physically running from kings and queens, but life’s challenges can produce a sense of fear and despair that smother our thought process and leaves us uttering, “I’ve had enough, I just can’t God.”
Take a look at how Elijah’s position and demeanor changed…. he didn’t kneel with an expectant prayer for deliverance this time; he dropped with a discouraged heart. 1 Kings, chapter 19 tells us that Elijah fell asleep after his cry to God and awoke to bread and water beside his head. After the meal, he laid down once again to rest his weary soul and awoke to another meal. After replenishing his body with food and rest he walked forty days until he reached a quiet cave on Mount Horeb and faced his thoughts. As silence surrounded him, he heard God tenderly pursue him with questions to provoke truth, concerns to remind him of faithfulness and direction to offer clarity.
God lovingly clarified Elijah’s false perspective that was smothered by fear and doubt, gently provided rest and nourishment for his body, and met him without condemnation, but direction.
Physical pain, emotional roller coasters and unsettling mindsets will leave us mimicking Elijah’s actions, but reminding ourselves of God’s tender concern brings Him into our focus. God knows exactly what we need, He is never surprised by our reactions, and never grows weary with His love for us. Trust Who He is and surrender your concerns to Him.
The next time you feel like giving up, think of Elijah’s stance….God will meet you at whichever one you choose, prayer knees or falling on your face with tears.
Check out this week’s song below!
