ElijahSample

Elijah's despair and God's comfort

After his victory on Mount Carmel, Elijah fled from Jezebel who sought to kill him. In his despair, he asked God to take his life, feeling defeated and alone. Yet, God did not abandon him. Even in Elijah’s flight – when he felt discouraged, alone, scared, tired and depressed – God showed up, bringing him cake (v6)! That’s the God we worship: the God of the Old Testament, the God of the Bible, my God. God provided Elijah with nourishment and reminded him that he wasn’t meant to go on this journey alone. We all need God’s help.

‘And the angel of the Lord came back a second time, touched him, and said, “Arise and eat, because the journey is too great for you.” So he arose, and ate and drank; and he went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights as far as Horeb, the mountain of God’ (1 Kings 19:7–8 NKJV).

When God offers you cake, take it! Savour those moments of joy and find strength to push through the next leg of your journey. Remember that God has fed you, that He is there for you, that you are not alone, and that you are a child of God. This moment in Elijah’s life serves as a powerful reminder that even the strongest believers experience moments of weakness and doubt. God understands our struggles and offers comfort and strength in our lowest moments. Just as He sent an angel to care for Elijah, God meets us in our despair, providing the nourishment we need to keep going.

Written by HEIDI WYSMAN