1 Kings 19:7-8 The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God.

Child of God are you weary and discouraged? The above passage is an excerpt from the life of Elijah, the man of God. He is completely worn out and in a meltdown. He is on the run for his life from King Ahab’s wife Jezebel who had sworn to have his head for having killed off 450 prophets of Baal. Looking at his plight I find myself wondering how he of all people could be facing such an ordeal. Elijah was a man who had great anointing from God. He had just come down from Mount Carmel where the Lord had demonstrated his presence and power by sending fire down from heaven to consume the sacrifice which he had prepared in God’s name. It had all been to God’s glory as the people of Israel fell prostrate and cried out: “The Lord – he is God! The Lord – he is God” (See 1 Kings 18:39). In contrast King Ahab and the false prophets who worshiped the god Baal had been unable to get any answer to their prayers.

In Elijah’s despondency he asked God to take his life. He just could not find the energy or inspiration to go on, so while on the run he laid down and fell asleep. Physical exhaustion will get you every time! The body needs rest, period. No one can get so holy to the point of ignoring this basic need – God planned it that way. Lack of rest distorts your perspective on life. The beauty here is that even in your sleep or state of helplessness, God can and does minister to you. The Lord sent an angel to wake up Elijah and feed him, twice. Another physical need – Eat and drink what is good for you. God can do little with you if you are malnourished because hunger and poor health become a distraction.

Having taken care of the physical, you will then be able to comprehend that God is not finished with you. Your assignment is not over. The Lord will show you the way forward – your Mount Horeb is still ahead.