DEVOTION – DAY 234

1 Kings 19:3-6 “Seeking Refuge In God”

 

1 Kings 19:3-6 “Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When He came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep. All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again.”

 

After his triumph on Mt Carmel against the prophets of Baal, Elijah had to flee because Queen Jezebel wanted Elijah dead for killing all the prophets with the sword. Elijah fled to Beersheba, the southernmost city of Judah. Elijah was discouraged. He concluded that his work was fruitless and that life was not worth living. He had temporarily lost his confidence that God’s Kingdom would triumph in the face of evil. Tired and discouraged, he sat under a bush and slept out of exhaustion. God knew what Elijah faced and He sent an angel to minister to Elijah. The angel prepared some hot food for Elijah and woke him to take the food.

 

We learn that even though Elijah was not in God’s Will for him by going out into the desert, God nevertheless sought him out and ministered to him. God knew Elijah intimately and met his physical and spiritual needs. God is faithful and caring to those who serve Him and are sometimes exhausted because of their services to Him.

 

The Covid-19 pandemic had been hard for many full-time church workers. They had to adapt quickly to offer online church services when physical services were no longer allowed. Some even contracted Covid-19 through the course of their work and a few died from the virus. Many found that their offerings fell significantly because their members’ incomes were badly affected. Some even had to retrench some of their staff. All the stress caused some church workers to suffer depression. We know someone who was very troubled by all the uncertainties and so, he had to take a step back and retreated just like Elijah. He took time off work and God ministered to him as he sought the Lord through His Word, and through prayer. He experienced a time of rest and the time with the Lord gave him renewal and restoration. After that, he was able to return to serving the Lord again.

 

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, You are our Refuge and our Strength. You call us to come to you when we are weary and burdened. Thank you for restoring all who come to you who are tired and stressed. In the blessed name of the Lord Jesus, we pray. Amen.

 

Questions

  1. What stress, burdens and worries are you carrying this week?
  2. Will you surrender all your worries and burdens to the Lord and seek Him as your refuge and strength?
  3. How has the Lord restored you in the past when you were discouraged? Share.
  4. What can you learn about God from this passage of the Bible? Share.