Finding the Light in SuicideSample

DAY 3

GOD RESPONDS

You are doing a great job fighting through some pain so we can be together as we discuss this week’s difficult topic, suicide. Thank you for being here.

We are in 1 Kings 19 learning and perhaps relating to Elijah’s story and emotions. We have learned Elijah won a battle against 450 Baal prophets. He ran for his life as the rulers of the northern Kingdom of Israel set out to kill him. Lastly, we learned Elijah withdrew and asked God to take away his misery. He prayed for death. As Elijah fell asleep in the wilderness ALONE, he was hoping he would not wake up.

Today we are continuing on this journey, and I want to look at verses 5-9 of 1 Kings 19:

5 All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” 6 He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again. 7 The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” 8 So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. 9 There he went into a cave and spent the night.

Today’s text shows that while Elijah was sleeping, God responded to his request for death. Our translation (NIV) says bread, but the Hebrew word here is ‘ugâ (pronounced oog- gaw’) which means cake or disc. It’s kind of like a round bread, a cake-like bread. So, God responded to Elijah’s request for death with CAKE?! I know what you’re thinking; you have never gotten cake from God. Me either, at least not literally as Elijah did.

We must recognize God did not have his angel wake up Elijah once, but he does this TWICE. The first time Elijah was probably like, “Yeah, whatever.” But the second time Elijah ate, Scripture says he was STRENGTHENED. This strength did not last for a little time, but it lasted for a journey that took 40 days and 40 nights!

Now, I want to leave you with this thought: God responded to Elijah with an answer of strength during his request for death. I pray today that you can see God provides you with strength, even in the most subtle ways. It may be small, and He may have had to do it a second time because you didn’t recognize it the first time, but He provides you with the strength to walk another day.

God provides strength in those weakest of moments and the darkest hours. Seek Him first, and He will provide you with STRENGTH.

Now that we know how God responded to Elijah, I’ll see you tomorrow as we study further and hear how God speaks to Elijah.

SUICIDE & CRISIS LIFELINE: CALL OR TEXT 9-8-8