Everyday Miracles: 20 Day Journey With Elijah And ElishaSample

There is a great, God-given journey in front of you.

Elijah had defeated 450 prophets at Mt. Carmel, proven Yahweh the one, true God and established himself as Israel’s mighty, miracle-working prophet. But when the pagan queen Jezebel threatened him, Elijah ran for his life and fell into despair. How human all the great heroes of God are!

To cure his despair, God sent an angel to minister to the prophet. The heavenly messenger touched him and gave him an odd word: “Arise and eat, for the journey is too great for you.” At first, it’s hard to see the encouragement in the angel’s words. What’s so encouraging about reminding a tired prophet that he has a long way still to go?

I once heard of a seminarian who continually announced, “I will go far in the ministry.” His classmates tired of hearing the refrain, “I will go far…. I will go far….” Finally, someone asked the confident student: “Why do you say that all the time? Are you arrogant or what?”

The seemingly boastful student responded: “I’m just repeating what all my professors told me. If I’ve heard it once, I’ve heard it a hundred times – they all tell me, ‘Son, you have a long way to go.’ ”

If you have a long way to go it means you will go far!

The angel didn’t encourage the depressed prophet with bumper sticker clichés. Instead, God’s messenger strengthened Elijah with deep truth. The truth is, Elijah, you have a long way to go. Your ministry isn’t over. There are more miracles to be wrought through you and your most important task lies ahead. You’ll transfer your mantle to Elisha who will be used for twice as many miracles as you. It’s a long road. It’s a hard road. But God will be with you. Arise and eat. You have a long way to go. 

When you face discouragement in life you need spiritual nourishment and deep assurance that there is more ahead. Though you may feel weary today and the journey in front of you seems daunting, the assurance that you’re not finished yet is revitalizing. Arise and eat – you have a long way to go. And that’s the Gospel!

Questions for Reflection: 

1) Do you ever think you’ve encountered an angel? Take a few moments to remember and reflect on God’s provision and protection. If you’ve never had a sense of an angel’s presence, think back on the mysterious ways that God has provided for you or protected you. Write down a few such God moments.

2) Think back to a time in which you felt like giving up, but you didn’t. How did it feel when you were sorely discouraged? By what grace or process did you find the strength to continue? Let the memory of God’s sustaining grace in the past strengthen you for today’s battles. Journal your reflections. 

3) Spend some time reflecting on the journey ahead. If God is saying to you, there’s still a long way to go, what can you see of that journey at this time? Journal your current thoughts about God’s future plans for your life. Like Elijah, you may have had some victorious Mt. Carmel moments, but God has more for you. Write down some of your dreams and longings. 

Prayer for the Day

Lord, though I have travelled far, I know I have a long way to go. I need strength for the journey. Feed me with your Word and lead me by your strong hand. When I feel discouraged, send messengers to point me in the right direction. When I am vulnerable and on the brink of giving up, dispatch angels on my behalf. Lord, give me fresh discernment today about the extent and grandeur of the journey ahead. Though I may not know all the details of the path that lies in front of me, I am confident that you have an important mission for me ahead. Grant me the grace and faith to move forward today. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.