September 10 Empty

September 10

Empty

1 Kings 19:4-5 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." 5 And he lay down and slept under a broom tree. And behold, an angel touched him and said to him, "Arise and eat."

WITH Jezebel's promises to kill him ringing in his ears (And we can assume Ahab did nothing to stop his evil wife.) Elijah fled Israel for the desert. He has no idea if any pursue him. He only believes there is no one in Israel he can trust. And it's true. We always act into what we believe whether our beliefs are true or false.

           Elijah apparently believed all his work had been in vain. His actions tell us he was certain to wonder, "Has anything I've done in God's power caused any single difference in Israel?" Saying, "I'm no better than my fathers." Elijah negates his prophetic role. He feels he has been unable to make any difference for the Lord. Elijah is self-focused. Elijah is depressed. His belief caused him to be alone. He is physically depleted. Even worse, the prophet is spiritually dry. He's lost hope. He is ready to die.

           Elijah's emotions have been and are very present in many people who work in various ministries. The Bible speaks of Moses' and Jonah's emotional struggles, for example, as they see the ongoing sin around them. We see John the Baptist wonder about his own ministry as he sits in Herod's jail. We know the Apostle Peter returned to his fishing boats after he had denied the Christ. Missionaries and ministers today often look at their work and wonder, "Did I do any good?" Many quit their work, weakened from their view of empty harvest fields, unchanged hearts and passion-killing criticism.

           What are God's anointed to do in their distress? How do they raise up their downcast eyes and keep sin from crouching at their door (Genesis 4)? What do we do when our efforts for Christ seem to be for naught?

           The first thing we are to do in those empty times is to stop and see the "broom trees" of our lives. The broom tree is a tall tree God created to grow in the desert. It gives shade from the sun and shelter from rains and wind. Under a broom tree, an empty traveler could be refreshed. Elijah stopped under the broom tree to die, but God sent an angel to begin to restore Elijah to his ministry.  

           You, too, in the emptiness you may be feeling, can go to God's shelter. Rest in him and rest with him. Consume his Word. Recall Jesus' great suffering for you. Remember his love. Rejoice in his salvation. Be mindful that you can't control others' responses to God. You can, though, lift up your eyes and see his great strength come to care for you.   

Prayer: Lord God, teach us to be aware of the many ways you care for us. In Jesus' name, amen.