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“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.”  1 Kings 19:5-8 (ESV)

He’d been in the wilderness running for his life – scared of Jezebel’s threat. Then he uttered the words “I can’t do this anymore Lord, take my life.” He had just experienced a great victory. How did he end up here?

He had summoned the prophets of Baal to Mount Carmel. Proposing a test. The prophets of Baal and Elijah would prepare an altar of sacrifice. But neither would create fire. The prophets of Baal prayed with great passion and zeal. Their prayers resulted in nothing. But when Elijah prayed– Yahweh answered by fire.

For three years, Elijah had been fighting a spiritual battle. Fervently praying for God to hold back the rains. God used Elijah to speak to the people. The prophets of Baal were destroyed. God sent fire and then he sent the rain. We can see the spiritual implications of Elijah’s obedience. But why do we think that because we’re spiritual we can ignore the physical body?

Ever pray through a health or financial crisis? These things wear on us – not just spiritually but physically. They leave us like Elijah – tired, grumpy, and discouraged. Feeling like life has nothing left for us.

Taking time to pray, preach and minister to the children of Israel took something from him. And even though there had been a great victory; he barely had time to rejoice because the enemy was on his heels again.

God saw the physical need in Elijah that day. Elijah needed rest. God still had plans for him.

Sometimes the most spiritual thing a person can do is get enough rest and replenishment.

Take a nap, or just be alone to read, refuel and re-energize through prayer and rest. There is nothing wrong with saying no to certain things when we are weary.

Don’t give up because of the exhaustion you may feel. After a while, God tells Elijah to get back to work. But first, he is allowed to find rest.

Feeling discouraged today – when was the last time you made finding rest a priority?

“Father in heaven remind us today that we cannot ignore our physical bodies. When we’re tired it affects our outlook on life. Help us to find rest so that we can give our best to you and others.”

For His Glory

Laura Holmes (www.ephraimministries.org)
TRBC Women’s Life