...and you're only human too.

I've been re-reading parts of 1 Kings today. I believe the Lord showed me something interesting in chapter 19.
Elijah is coming off of a marathon of God's power.
There was the showdown with all of the prophets of Baal. God rains down fire and consumes Elijah's offering.
Power.
Elijah orders the prophets to be killed and not one escapes his death.
Power.
He prays for the drought to end, and the rains pour.
Power.
He's given the strength to run ahead of Ahab's chariot the six miles to Jazreel.
Power.
But once in Jazreel, he begins to feel he's the only one left doing god's will, and Jezebel's threats cause him to flee. God meets him in the wilderness and orders him to Mt. Sinai.
There in the cave, Elijah meets with God again.
I wonder how Elijah heard God's voice. Coming off of a stretch of God's righteous anger and destruction of the wicked, I can't help but think Elijah would hear God with a authoritative, voice of disappointment because of his fear of one woman.
I wonder if he heard God scolding him:

But the LORD said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" (vs.9)

And in his exhaustion and mental state of despair, he'd answer:
"I have zealously served the LORD God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I alone am left, and now they are trying to kill me, too." (vs.10)

He'd feel as if the whole world has gone astray and he's the only one left fighting the war of a million foot soldiers.

He'd hear God's curt reply, "Go out and stand before me on the mountain," (vs11)
Elijah is obedient.
And there, God unleashes the power that Elijah expects.


And as Elijah stood there, the LORD passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose,

POWER!

but the LORD was not in the wind. (Vs11)

After the wind there was an earthquake,

POWER!!

but the LORD was not in the earthquake. (Vs12)

And after the earthquake there was a fire,

POWER!!!!

but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper… (Vs13)

I'm sure standing in the mist of the windstorm, the fire, the earthquake; Elijah felt he was going to experience the wrath of God. And yet God was not found in the windstorm, the fire, or the earthquake. He was found in the tenderness of a whisper.

When Elijah heard it, he humbly wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave, and he heard God's voice again. Although it's the same question, I imagine he heard it with a new gentleness he hadn't expected.

And a voice said, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" (Vs13)

Perhaps a lone tear stained his cheek. With a contrite heart this time, in meekness and humility he would answer:

"I have zealously served the LORD God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I alone am left, and now they are trying to kill me, too." (Vs14)

Then the LORD told him, "Go back the way you came, and travel to the wilderness of Damascus. When you arrive there, anoint Hazael to be king of Aram. Then anoint Jehu son of Nimshi to be king of Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel-meholah to replace you as my prophet. Anyone who escapes from Hazael will be killed by Jehu, and those who escape Jehu will be killed by Elisha! Yet I will preserve seven thousand others in Israel who have never bowed to Baal or kissed him!

And in that statement God showed him he was not alone. He had thousands of others who were true to God's word, and hope was not lost. In addition, He was appointing others to continue the work Elijah was doing, (Elisha and Jehu) and could even use the work of the enemy (Hazael) to bring about his purpose.


I feel some of y'all need to hear this. Serving so passionately as you do has left a mark of exhaustion. You're feeling isolated, with a heavy burden, as if all of the responsibility of life and is lying on your shoulders. But you almost feel ashamed to approach God with this heavy burden- afraid he will scold you for not having enough faith in His power.
He is tender and merciful. He will remind you of that side of Himself. He will open your eyes to see the "seven thousand others is Israel who have never bowed to Baal" He will show you your Elisha, your Jehu, even your Hazael.

Peace of Christ be with you,
Christy Elaine