“Stand On The Mountain Before The LORD”

Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So may the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life like the life of one of them by this time tomorrow.” Then he was afraid; he got up and fled for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah; he left his servant there.

But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a solitary broom tree. He asked that he might die: “It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life, for I am not better than my ancestors.” Then he lay down under the broom tree and fell asleep. Suddenly an angel touched him and said to him, “Get up and eat.” He looked, and there at his head was a cake baked on hot stones, and a jar of water. He ate and drank, and lay down again. The angel of the LORD came a second time, touched him, and said, “Get up and eat, otherwise the journey will be too much for you.” He got up, and ate and drank; then he went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb the mount of God. At that place he came to a cave, and spent the night there.

Then the word of the LORD came to him saying, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He answered, “I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away.”

He said, “Go out and stand on the mountain before the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.” Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence.

1 Kings 19:1-12

Almost everyone will at some time in their life be affected by depression, either their own or someone else’s. Some common signs and symptoms of depression include feelings of hopelessness, pessimism, worthlessness, and helplessness.

Some people in the Bible had a deep sense of despondency, discouragement and sadness that is linked to personal powerlessness and loss of meaning and enthusiasm for life. Elijah had received a death threat from Jezebel. His hope was shattered and despondency set in. He wanted to die!

God helped Elijah deal with his despondency in several ways. The LORD did not rebuke him for his feelings but sent an angel to take care of his physical needs. Then, the LORD revealed Himself and reminded Elijah that He was quietly working among His people. Then God renewed Elijah’s mission by giving him new orders. Finally, God reminded Elijah that he wasn’t alone.

In our times of discouragement, let us remember that God loves us and desires to lead us to a place of a renewed vision of Himself! The weak, the helpless, and the discouraged are in the Shepherd’s special care.

Our Daily Bread – December 26, 2008