Prophet Elijah was exhausted, burned out. His life was threatened at every turn. He felt all alone. He was ready to lay down and die.

Just when Elijah thought things could not be worse, he cried out to God. God sent a ministering angel who strengthened Elijah and prepared him for another task, one that would last another forty days. This was not exactly the answer Elijah had hoped for.
As if Elijah wasn’t frightened enough, God led the prophet to a mountain where a strong wind crumbled the rocks. A violent earthquake shook the mountain, spawning a fire. God was not found in the wind, nor in the earthquake, nor in the fire. But, when the din died down, Elijah found God.

God does not create tragedies. The human condition – that of the fallen nature – creates disaster. Even when we follow God, we must sometimes endure more than we believe we are capable. In the end, though, we find God still holds our hand, and speaks to us in a still, small voice, just as he did Elijah.

I once had a boss that I felt constantly gave me too much work. I was forever running, never got breaks, and could never get caught up. One day, I heard him and his boss speaking; they weren’t aware I was anywhere around. When the owner of the business asked if I could handle yet another assignment, my boss answered, “If you want something done and done right the first time, give it to the busiest person.”

At once, I felt both proud and exhausted. Sometimes, we simple work ourselves into a frazzle. 

In 1 Kings 19, we join Prophet Elijah when he is frazzled. In fact, in verse 4, he has lied down, declared that he has reached his end, and asked the Lord to take his life. 

Instead, the Lord twice sends an angel to strengthen him with food and water on which he can go strong for another 40 days and nights. 

Never think that you are not up to the task, for the Lord will never ask you to do a job without providing you the means of accomplishing it. 

Fear Not, for the Lord is not finished with you.