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A Refuge For Rest
Elijah had accomplished a feat of epic proportions worthy of a Hollywood blockbuster. First, he called on fire from heaven and then he killed four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal. On top of that, he managed to turn the hearts of the people back to God. It was a resounding victory!
But when Jezebel sent a messenger to tell Elijah that she would have him killed, Elijah became so fearful that he ran for his life, first to Beersheba in Judah, then into the wilderness. At the wilderness, God ministered to Elijah with what he needed most - rest and recovery. Recharged, he traveled forty days and forty nights, covering a distance of 538 km, until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God.
After spending a night in the cave at Horeb, the word of the LORD came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He responds by lamenting to the LORD (for the second time!), telling God that he is the only faithful one left. But God did not rebuke him. Instead, He met Elijah where he was at, fears and doubts and all. Undramatic and unassuming - with a still, small voice. A gentle whisper.
To hear a whisper, we need to lean in closely to the source. Sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is to intentionally slow down and replenish yourself. Rest and recovery are part of life’s rhythm. Only you know how much your body needs to recharge after an intense exertion. Neglecting to do so will inflict long-term damage to your wellbeing.
Also, very often the lows in life take place right after the highs. As we live our lives for God, we have to be watchful of this. For instance, as a pastor I could preach a great sermon and see God move amazingly during a weekend service, but the real battle is not what happens on Sunday, but rather how I respond to whatever comes my way the Monday after. We need to realize that although we are doing the work of God, we are not immune from challenges.
Elijah rested and recovered and went on to his new assignment.
The same applies to your spiritual life. To overcome challenges and be able to finish your faith journey well, you need to know when to stop, rest and recover.
- Are there healthy rhythms of rest and recovery in your life today?
- If not, what can you do today to intentionally include space to rest and lean into God in your daily schedule?
- Do you often overlook God’s gentle whispers in favor of His dramatic displays in your life?
Work from our rest and not just rest from our work.
About this Plan
There are seasons in life when we find ourselves drifting in the wilderness. We feel uncomfortable, lost, isolated and afraid. But throughout Scripture, God has used the wilderness to teach and remind His people who He is and what He can do. This plan will help readers reaffirm their identity in Christ and discover not just a way out of the wilderness but the Way-Maker Himself.
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