Elijah in the Desert

1 Kings 19

Ahab has been embarrassed and what does he do? He comes back and he complains of what Elijah did. As if Elijah were the one in heaven creating these things. He goes to Jezebel and whines like a little boy. And here we see one of the first cases of feminism. A woman taking over and taking charge over her man. Her comment about the gods even refers to the gods destroyed on Mount Carmel. Evil comes from all sides no matter what sense it might make sense. So Elijah flees, not because God told him to, but because he is a human man. He knew fear and was afraid. He goes to the place where Jacob was when he fled. He was sent out to the wilderness where God sends His people. Don't despair when you're in the desert. It is where God fashions and shapes His people. Elijah comes to the end of his rope. He is done and tired. But that does not mean that God is done. Even when we want to conclude we can go no farther and do no more good, God provides and cares for His people. He is tired from his journey and God does the most practical thing: He feeds him. Bread and water. A symbol of Christ. This is a comfort to know that God cares for and witnesses to His children when they need it the most. Elijah cared and strove for what God cares about. It's not so much Elijah complaining, but seeking relief from God. And God always provides. God's answer: all because you cannot see everything I am doing does not mean I am not doing anything. The still small voice. It is not what we expect but it is what God gives us. Elijah had to think about whether he ought to go on or give up still. But he learned all because there seemed to be no activity doesn't mean God is doing no activity. Even after all this God reminds Elijah of the task at hand and the responsibility ahead. This is not a story of Elijah, this is a story of God's faithfulness to Himself. He continues to work within His people even if we cannot see it. God reminds him that he is not abandoned. Elijah complains of being alone...left alone. But God reminds him that there are a number of people that He has reserved for His purpose. Those that have not bowed the knee to Baal. This is encouragement to us. Strength from God. A still small voice of God speaking to us through the Scriptures.