I love 1 Kings 19. We see God’s love, compassion and provision for Elijah. God had performed a great miracle, yet when Elijah received word that Jezebel was going to kill him, he ran to the wilderness and there being depressed he prayed to die; he’d had enough. There God sent Elijah provision to strengthen him for his journey to the mountain of God. Once Elijah was there, God came to Elijah and asked him, “Elijah what are you doing here?” God let Elijah give voice to why he was depressed. Then God reminded Elijah that God is God and sent Elijah to finish his purpose. In God’s still, loving voice Elijah found peace and understanding. In God’s patience in letting Elijah tell Him what was hurting him God redirected Elijah. God knows all things, yet is always ready to hear our cries.
1 Kings 19:4 But he himself went a days journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said, “It is enough! Now, Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!”
1 Kings 19:12-14 And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him, and said, “What are you doing here Elijah?” And he said, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God of Hosts; because the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your alters, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek my life.”
Isaiah 55:8-11 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain comes down and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.”
In the storm we may wonder, “God where are You?” It’s ok! God understands us better than we understand ourselves; He created us. Ask, give voice to God about our pain, fears, sorrows, joy, hope, and needs. God hears and He cares! Jesus is our Good Shepherd, the Good Shepherd does not leave His sheep on their own.
