The Messengers: Elijah “The Journey Is Too Great For You”

A SOAP Journal based on 1 Kings 18-19

S = 1 Kings 19:4, 7-8  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 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.

O = Elijah, was a godly and miracle-working prophet faithfully brought God’s message to the Northern Kingdom of Israel, to Ahab & Jezebel the most wicked king and queen of all (1 Kings 16:30). In chapter 18, we see that Elijah had just confronted and defeated 450 wicked false prophets, prayed for rain to end a runs a marathon to beat Ahab’s chariot back to town (18:49). Then, at Jezebel’s threat Elijah fled to Beersheba (111 miles), putting the Southern Kingdom of Judah between himself and Jezebel. Finally, Elijah was utterly spent and asked that he might die. Despite all the amazing things Elijah had done, he was a man just like me, limited, flawed, no better than his fathers (19:4).

A = “The journey is too great for you” is something I realize almost every day. I wouldn’t have made it as far as Elijah that’s for sure! There are many practical lessons that I can learn from Elijah’s experience. I know that failure comes often on the heels of success and I need to keep my guard up. I need to do good self-care, eating and sleeping regularly or I will tend to doubt God and run from challenges. Yet, in Elijah’s despair there is an important lesson for me. I need to be willing to confess my need and be willing to surrender my life completely into God’s hands (v.4) not as the end of my ministry…but as the beginning step in a fuller understanding of the presence of God. God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6-8). I must surrender my life into God’s hands more completely each day…before I get to the end of my rope. 

P = O Lord, I need you more than ever. You know me better than I know myself and as I make my plans, I trust you to interrupt if you need to and to determine my steps. As I seek to find my rest and strength in you, draw near to me today and always! Empower and encourage me to face the challenges which I face today and in the days to come. Let me live for your glory alone! Amen.