“When Ahab got home, he told Jezebel everything Elijah had done, including the way he had killed all the prophets of Baal. 2 So Jezebel sent this message to Elijah: “May the gods strike me and even kill me if by this time tomorrow I have not killed you just as you killed them.” 3 Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. He went to Beersheba, a town in Judah, and he left his servant there. 4 Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died.” 5 Then he lay down and slept under the broom tree. But as he was sleeping, an angel touched him and told him, “Get up and eat!” 6 He looked around and there beside his head was some bread baked on hot stones and a jar of water! So he ate and drank and lay down again. 7 Then the angel of the Lord came again and touched him and said, “Get up and eat some more, or the journey ahead will be too much for you.” 8 So he got up and ate and drank, and the food gave him enough strength to travel forty days and forty nights to Mount Sinai, the mountain of God. 9 There he came to a cave, where he spent the night. But the Lord said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”” 1 Kings 19:1-9 NLT
Lord of compassion,
“When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers—the moon and the stars you set in place— What are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them?” Says Psalm 8:4. Yet you do care.
I love the way you guide Elijah to travel 40 days and nights and send two deliveries of fresh baked bread and cool water after he has just delivered his “I give up” speech to You. Reassuring to me that even so great a prophet suffered fedupness. Then when You have him where You want him after 40 days travel – on foot?! you ask him a seemingly odd question. Why are you here?
Elijah response is not, You told me to come! But he has chance to share how he feels. His best, my glass is completely empty, reply. It was not true he was the only one left – there were the prophets Obadiah had saved. The prophets of Baal were all dead. And many had turned back to worshipping You God. But You brought him to a place to debrief and see the whole picture. How he was now feeling sorry for himself. But You did not tell Him off, You revealed who it was he was talking to and serving could trust in. He saw a smidgen of Your almighty power and majesty, Lord. You passed by the cave Elijah was in and reminded him who he was serving.
So he can go back, spirits lifted, encouraged. And to find Elisha so he is no longer alone. You know when we need time with You to come out of a pity party. When we need fellow believers to encourage us. When we find ourselves emotionally, physically or spiritually drained we need a hand up and to be reminded of the the fulness of Your love and power in Jesus. And maybe some fresh baked crusty bread.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen
Worship Friday 27th June 2025
You make Your face to shine on me
And that my soul knows very well
You lift me up, I’m cleansed and free
And that my soul knows very well
When mountains fall, I’ll stand
By the power of Your hand
And in Your heart of hearts I’ll dwell
And that my soul knows very well
Joy and strength each day I find
And that my soul knows very well
Forgiveness, hope, I know is mine
And that my soul knows very well
Chorus . . .
Four times
Lyrics: Darlene Joyce Zschech, Russell Fragar