Day 8: From the Mountain to the Wilderness
Read: 1 Kings 18:16-19:15
Today’s reading is longer than most but the story is so fascinating you might even find yourself reading more on both ends of the recommended reading.
Elijah is one of the most intriguing people in scripture. God called him to do some really hard things. Can you imagine confronting the kings who could demand your death? And he wasn’t one to mince words either. He said some brutally honest things, called out their sin and humiliated their prophets. Yet even a man who experienced such victory and faithfulness can find himself in a low and lonely place. That’s where we meet up with Elijah today.
After watching God display his power and majesty on Mount Carmel in chapter eighteen, it seems Elijah should walk away with more confidence than ever. Not too far into chapter nineteen, we encounter these words, “Elijah was afraid and ran for his life.” He journeyed a day into the desert, laid down and prayed for death. What in the world happened?
Elijah was tired, lonely and overwhelmed.
Let’s not be too hasty to conclude God failed to see him. Just as God was present with Elijah during the prophet face-off on Mount Carmel, he was present in Elijah’s despair and cared deeply for him. The first thing we see is that God sent an angel to tend to his physical needs. Not once, but twice, he awakened Elijah and told him to get up and eat. When Elijah looked around, there was food and water for him.
Strengthened by the rest, water and food, Elijah journeyed another 40 days to Horeb. There the word of the Lord came to him after a good night’s rest. At the first opportunity, Elijah poured out his heart to the Lord. He’d done what had been asked of him, he had been zealous, he was the only one left and they were trying to kill him, too.
Rather than answer his complaint, the Lord told him to go out and stand on the mountain for he was about to pass by. The wind came, the earth quaked and the fire came but the Lord wasn’t in any of those. But then came the gentle whisper. Elijah heard it. He knew what it was. He covered his face and retreated to the mouth of the cave. Being in God’s presence was nothing to take lightly—it still isn’t.
A second time he was asked why he was there. He repeated, verbatim, his answer. Not all of that was true. He wasn’t the only one left. In his care for Elijah, God told him there were 7,000 others in Israel who had not bowed to Baal.
God had not abandoned Elijah. It was Elijah who ran away out of fear. He stopped listening to God and started listening to those around him. Yet even as he did, God remained faithful and kept watch over him. He provided for Elijah’s physical needs first and then showed him the most amazing thing of all—himself. God revealed his presence to Elijah, not in the most obvious or loud way, but in the gentle, quiet whisper which could only be heard when Elijah was still.
Have you experienced a great showing of the Lord, only to find yourself lonely and overwhelmed? Have you allowed yourself to believe the voices of the world instead of the promises of God? If so, you’re a bit like Elijah. Just as he was fed and strengthened by the Lord, you can be as well. Follow the example we see in this story. Rest. Eat. Then be still before the Lord and listen for his whisper. Turn off the TV, log out of social media and stop reading or watching the news. Close the world out, sit in a chair, open your bible and read. Pray. Meditate. Wait. You’ll be amazed at what God wants to show you.
Prayer: God, I’ve allowed myself to be distracted and overwhelmed by the chaos of the world. I want to be refreshed and renewed by your gentle whisper. Speak to me through your word. Help me understand who you are and what you want from me. Help me to be still before you and wait.