Let Down

Read 1 Kings 17:1–19:21

3. Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. He went to Beersheba, a town in Judah, and he left his servant there.
4. Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died.”
5. Then he lay down and slept under the broom tree. But as he was sleeping, an angel touched him and told him, “Get up and eat!”
6. He looked around and there beside his head was some bread baked on hot stones and a jar of water! So he ate and drank and lay down again.
7. Then the angel of the Lord came again and touched him and said, “Get up and eat some more or the journey ahead will be too much for you.”
8. So he got up and ate and drank. 1 Kings 19:3-8

Sally is ready to quit her job. Her coworkers have shut her out, and she feels as if she gets no support from her boss. She has tried to endure the isolation and do her best, but after three years, the situation has not improved. She’s thoroughly discouraged.

This is the first half of the story of Elijah’s ministry. Elijah is one of Israel’s most significant prophets, yet he fights great discouragement. In fact, it’s more like depression or despair. “It’s all over,” he moans, and he really believes it. But God has a cure for Elijah’s ills—check it out.

In this passage, you will learn that God sends rescuers when they’re needed and that God’s people can always get the resources to do what God commands them to do.

Elijah fell into the depths of fatigue and discouragement immediately following two of his great spiritual triumphs: the defeat of the prophets of Baal and the answered prayer for rain. After experiencing God’s astounding victory at Mount Carmel, Elijah ran for his life. Then, tired, lonely, and discouraged, he felt sorry for himself, believing that he was the only person left who was still true to God (1 Kings 19:10). To lead Elijah out of depression, God first allowed him to rest and to eat. Then God confronted Elijah with the need to return to his mission—to speak God’s words in Israel. Elijah’s battles were not over; there was still work for him to do (1 Kings 19:15-18).

Often discouragement sets in after great spiritual experiences, especially those requiring physical effort or involving great emotion. When you feel let down after a great spiritual experience, remember that God’s purpose for your life is not yet over. When you are tempted to think that you are the only one remaining faithful to a task, don’t wallow in self-pity—it will only dilute the good you are doing. Be assured that even if you don’t know who they are, others are faithfully obeying God and fulfilling their duties as well. God is at work in the world as well as in your life.