The hand of the Lord was on Elijah as he spoke truth to the nation of Israel in order to turn their hearts back to God and to help them recover from the destructive patterns of the spirit of Baal. God used this mighty prophet to prove Jehovah’s power over darkness and bring a message of direction and hope for Israel’s future. On Mount Carmel, Elijah experienced severe spiritual battle-followed by mighty spiritual victory!
Yet, when the enemy Jezebel bullied Elijah with death threats after his victory, he was overwhelmed and afraid. At that moment, Elijah’s spiritual breath was knocked out of him. His intense fear told him that this was too much, that the struggle had gone on too long, and he was done with it. Then he took the path to depression by running away from the problem and pulling away from people. He lay under a juniper tree, ignoring his need for food, feeling that he was alone and that no one understood him. He wanted to die.
But God revealed to Elijah that it was not time for him to leave this earth, that he must finish his work and fulfill the purposes and plans God had for him. God helped him to get up and eat, and then He renewed their spiritual relationship, lifting Elijah up and giving him back a life with meaning and purpose.
When overwhelm and fear knocks our spiritual breath out and we want to lie down and quit, we must remember that God’s love for us is bigger than what is pulling us in the other direction. Just as He helped Elijah, He will help us. Step by step, day by day, moment by moment, we will recover and be given rest and life to replace our fears and depression.
“Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done and how he had slain all the prophets[of Baal] with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, ”So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not your like as the life of one of them by this time tomorrow.’ The he was afraid and arose and went for his life and came to Beersheba of Judah and left his servant there. But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a lone juniper tree and asked that he might die. He said, ‘It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life'”(1Kings 19:1-2).
