1 Kings 19:4 But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers. Read I Kings 19:1-18.
There was a three-year drought in Israel, the confrontation between Elijah and the prophets of Baal, the fire from heaven, and the rain that came in answer to Elijah’s prayers. When King Ahab told Queen Jezebel about the events at Mount Carmel, the execution of the prophets of Baal, she sent a messenger to tell him that he was a dead man. And Elijah ran into the wilderness for safety, deeply depressed and wanting to die. Have you ever been so discouraged that you wanted to die? I suppose every child of God experiences the blues at one time or other. But there is a cure for your discouragement,which involves a second look at the facts, rest, nutrition, a new vision of God, and a new touch for service. Elijah needed to look again at the facts: he wasn’t alone, for 7,000 faithful people had never bowed down to Baal. He needn’t have feared Jezebel because the God who had demonstrated His power forty-eight hours before could certainly take care of one pagan queen. Furthermore, he had received no divine word that his career was ended, and was jumping to conclusions when he said, take away my life. You and I can likewise conquer even the worst case of discouragement if we let our Father minister to us in the same way. Isaiah 43:2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. This devotional was written by Dr. Robert A. Cook. You can subscribe to his free email articles and listen to his Spirit-filled 15-minute messages at www.walkwiththeking.org. Used with written permission.
