“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 as the life of one of them by this time tomorrow.’ Then he was afraid, and he arose and ran for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there.
“But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he asked that he might die, saying, ‘It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.’ And he lay down and slept under a broom tree. And behold, an angel touched him and said to him, ‘Arise and eat.’ And he looked, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. And he ate and drank and lay down again. And the angel of the Lord came again a second time and touched him and said, ‘Arise and eat, for the journey is too great for you.’ And he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of God.” 1 Kings 19:1-8
Elijah knew the sustenance of God. Heaven-sent ravens had already fed him at the Brook of Cherith, nourishing his body and preparing his faith to trust his Lord for supernatural multiplication of the widow’s flour and oil. God could do anything, and tended to deepest needs of body, mind, and spirit to equip His prophet for next steps. He never failed to supply for His own. (1 Kings 17:1-16; 19:9-18)
When the Lord has us on His path and in His grip, He knows our every need. A life of obedience is one of dependence. God does not mark out direction for His purposes then abandon us. Rather, He strives with us to accomplish not only His grand plan in the world but His personal plan in our lives. He’s not about famous public success with flimsy, self-willed people. He’s best glorified through His people, when we’re dependent and surrendered, emptied of self and filled with Him, trusting His daily manna and His strength in our weakness. (Exodus 16:4,14; 2 Corinthians 12:8-10; Philippians 4:19)
Where has God called me to go, to serve, to work, to invest in a new relationship, for Him? Am I reluctant to begin, whining about difficulty and lack? Uncertainty and loneliness? Do I rush ahead in my own smarts and strength, which are bound to run dry? Or do I take time to listen and converse with my loving and able Lord, and receive the nourishment He offers? Am I willing to go when He instructs, and rest and take His fortification when He graciously supplies? Would I then move forward, trusting He’ll continue to provide, to part waters, to feed as each need arises?
Faithful Father, may I glorify You by trusting and taking and savoring Your every provision for the journey You intend for me. Only in and through and with You will it find favor.
As the rain and snow 