September 11 Restoring Journey

September 11

Restoring Journey

1 Kings19:6-8 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. 7 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." 8 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.

DO you see what the Lord has done? Once again, for the seventh time, God went to Elijah to save his life. Even more, the Lord strengthened his prophet to continue his journey. Elijah hadn't prayed, "Save me, Lord." Nor had he pleaded, "Deliver me from my enemies." Elijah had only said hopelessly, "I want to die." But God didn't listen to Elijah. The sovereign Lord, in response, moved to revive and strengthen Elijah.

    Note, too, God was giving Elijah strength for a considerable journey. For 40 days Elijah would walk to Horeb (or Sinai), which is the mountain where God met with Moses. This is the place where Israel saw God's glory and feared God. This is the place where the law was given. Elijah is about to meet with the holy God. He needs physical and spiritual nourishment.

    In a manner similar to his superhuman run from Mount Hermon to Jezreel (see 1 Kings 18:46) God has now supplied Elijah with the strength to walk 40 days to Mt. Horeb. Elijah is now prepared for the journey.

    How have you seen God strengthen you - even if you didn't ask him to do so? In my own experience, I have seen his hand countless times to care for me physically and spiritually when I hadn't considered asking him. Oftentimes, I didn't want to ask him. I was too tired, too self-focused or too busy to seek the Lord's nourishing power. I had other plans or no particular plan. One doesn't seek to know God when we'd rather say, "No, God."

    But when I look back to see myself "then" and I look to see who I am "now" I can scarcely believe I am the same person. I recall the days when I didn't even go to church. Why bother? Certainly I could control my life, couldn't i? But God came even when I didn't ask him to do so. Now I minister the Word around the globe. I pause and ask, "Who me? Is this really me? Really, God?"

    When I'm tired or very sure no one is listening, it is common for God to step in and strengthen me with a voice from one of you who says, "I needed to hear what you wrote today." He will work his strengthening power in my soul when I'm tired of low vision that restricts my life. He will put people around me to pray for me. The faithful God raises me up to walk always and ever more closely to him. When I go and look for him, I always find him waiting for me.

    Elijah will go to the mountain and find God waiting for him. I pray it is the same for you.

Prayer: Lord God, strengthen your weary that they will rise in joy to meet with you. In Jesus' name, amen.