Have you ever felt so tired of life’s journey that you wish God would just take you to Himself? So battle-worn from fighting against Satan’s persistent lies crushing you down to despair? So heart heavy with the mess this world is in and how God and love and compassion are often shoved aside?
Elijah was tired of living. He was advocating for the One True God, and he had just confronted the false prophets of Baal. Queen Jezebel was furious and out to kill him. Filled with fear, Elijah fled and ran a day’s journey to the wilderness. He was weary – mind, body, and soul. Exhausted, he collapsed under a broom tree, a large desert bush.
“I have had enough, Lord. Take my life…” he cried. As he sank into the mire of despondency, he lay down and fell asleep.
A touch woke him up. “Arise and eat,” an angel said. Bread baking on some hot coals and a jar of water were waiting for him. He ate and drank, but he lay down again.
But the God of endless patience and compassion didn’t let him remain there. Elijah’s journey on this earth was far from over. His work for God was not finished. Again an angel touched him. “Arise and eat, because the journey is too great for you.”
“The angel of the Lord
came again a second time
and touched him and said,
‘Arise, eat, because the journey
is too great for you.’”
1 Kings 19:7
This time Elijah surrendered his weary soul to God. He got up. He ate and drank. He opened his heart to God’s faithful provision and moved forward in the strength of God. Jezebel was still looking for him. He didn’t know what danger, loneliness, or disappointment lay ahead. But he remembered God is bigger than anyone or anything he would face, God was with him no matter what, and God would strengthen him in His journey on this earth.
In this journey of life,
We will have
Times of deep anguish,
Times of sinking in the mire of despair,
Times of feeling forsaken by God.
But Jesus Whispers
My precious child,
I’m still the same God today.
I was there for Elijah
And I am here for you.
Arise and eat, My child.
The journey is too great for you.
Eat the manna of My love
Drink My life-giving water
Relax in the arms of My grace,
My power and My will.
And you will find rest
For mind, body, and soul.
I hold you, My child,
In the arms of My everlasting love,
No lies can snatch you away from Me.
You are safe with Me.
Marvelously made and enough.
Ssshhh…
Be still, My child, be still.
Be encouraged
You don’t have to journey alone.
Rest in My Truth,
And I will refresh your weary soul.
“No, in all these things
we are more than conquerors
through Him who loved us.
For I am convinced that neither death nor life,
neither angels nor demons,
neither the present nor the future,
nor any powers, neither height nor depth,
nor anything else in all creation,
will be able to separate us from the love of God
that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 8:37-39
Heal Our Land
by Kari Jobe
Flawed yet beautiful
Lord You’re merciful
Breathe on Your church
Pour out Your presence
Speak through Your word
We pray in every nation, Christ be known
Our hope and salvation, Christ alone
As divisions fall
Jesus, Lord of all
Freed to Fly 
When we feel like we can’t go on, unable to put one foot in front of the other, may we all cry out to the Lord for His help and mercy. In Him, we can “all arise and eat.” So beautifully expressed here, Trudy. Thank you, and blessings!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Martha. Blessings to you, too! Yes, in HIM we can “arise and eat.” May we open our hearts to His manna of love and grace!
LikeLike
Thank you for the encouragement, Trudy. 🙂
I hope you have a beautiful day!
I Love You,
Shelley
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m so glad you were encouraged, Shelley. Thank you for wishing me a beautiful day. I hope you have a beautiful one, too, both inwardly and outwardly! I love you, too, sweet niece! May God encourage our hearts and carry us through this life with His unlimited love and compassion!
LikeLike
Oh Trudy, thank you for this, and especially thank you for the beautiful prayer whisper. He sees when our strength is gone, and He knows how to call us deeper into His own strength for us! I am so blessed at His dear confirmation, that He gave us both such a similar Scripture in our posts this week. He wants to make His truth so secure in our hearts! Blessings, love, and prayers for you my dear sister! Xoxo
LikeLiked by 2 people
“He sees when our strength is gone, and He knows how to call us deeper into His own strength for us!” Amen! Thank you, Bettie. I’m so glad God confirmed His truth to your heart. Your posts often confirm His truth to my heart, too. It’s amazing how God works to make His truth more secure in our hearts. Blessings, love, and prayers for you, too! May God keep making His truth more and more secure in our hearts!
LikeLiked by 2 people
This is so lovely and comforting, Trudy! I think we all have those times when it all just feels too much. It’s reassuring to think about Elijah’s story and see how lovingly God deals with us when we feel like that!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m so glad you were comforted, Lesley. Elijah’s story has often comforted me in life. Yes, it’s amazing how lovingly God deals with us when we feel like that. May we rise and eat each day from the manna of His Word!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is so true. The many wearying demands of our life and faith journey often make us feel defeated, depleted and discouraged. How we need this timely reminder to replenish, refresh and strengthen ourselves in the Lord! I love the sweet encouragement here, the vibrant Hope that breathes through every word, and the deeply compassionate response to our weakness in the lovely prayer whisper you have shared. God sees our struggles and understands everything we have to go through. He loves us infinitely and has the perfect remedy for all our pain, strain and stress. Thank you, Trudy, for helping lift my weary and jaded spirits today through your inspiring words. Blessings, love and grateful hugs to you, dear friend! xoxo ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m grateful God lifted your weary spirit, Joy. “God sees our struggles and understands everything we have to go through.” Yes! That gives such comfort to know He sees and understands, doesn’t it? Blessings, love, and hugs to you, too! May our hearts remember God is with us always, even in the deep, dark valleys!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, indeed it does! Yes, let’s try to remember, especially when we might feel low or hopeless, that “God is with us, always, even in the deep, dark valleys!” Such an encouraging thought to hold onto when we segue into autumn and SAD afflicts our souls. Thank you, Trudy! xo 😊💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I can already see the flowers are losing their vibrant colors. 😦 Though I don’t think I have that disorder, winter does seem to drag by and I long for spring again. 🙂 Yes, together we will encourage each other to hold onto that Truth of God’s presence no matter what is happening!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Our world needs to continually know this message that we do not journey the trials alone. They certainly will continue to come but the how to navigate them is always there in God’s message. Thanks Trudy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
So true, Lynn. The “how to navigate” those trials is always in “God’s message.” His Word is a lamp to our feet. He will light the way one step at a time, right? May our hearts open to the depths of His love and grace that He expresses in His Word!
LikeLike
I’ve always been glad this story is in the Bible. There have been times I relate to Elijah, just feeling so weary at fighting the same battles. But I’m thankful for God’s Spirit to keep renewing us, day after day. I love that his grace is fresh every morning! Hope you’re doing well, Trudy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me, too, Lisa. This story has helped me many times in my life, too. Isn’t it amazing how gentle God is with him? He doesn’t condemn him for wanting to give up. God is so loving and patient with us, isn’t He? Yes, what a blessing that His grace is fresh every morning! May our hearts open wide to the grace He so willingly desires to give us!
LikeLike
Amen! A beautiful post Trudy!
Bless you,
Jennifer
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Jennifer. Elijah’s story is so comforting to fainting spirits, isn’t it? May we cling to the truth that God is always with us and will get us through anything!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Billy Graham’s wise biblical words ring truer than ever. I can hear his powerful, Christ-honoring voice through your quote, friend.
Thank You, Lord.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s what I thought, too, Linda. It’s amazing how Billy Graham’s words ring truer than ever, even after he’s passed away. There are many who are desperately hungering for hope more than ever today. May God give us grace to honor Christ in our words and actions!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I saw your link at the Grace and Truth Link Up. Thank you for these insightful words of encouragement!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Welcome, Marielle. I’m so glad you found encouragement here. May we cling to the truth that God is still the same today as He was with Elijah!
LikeLike
What a blessing to read this today, Trudy. I’m so thankful that God provides, equips, strengthens and encourages us for the road ahead, and for the specific work that He has for us. That encouragement often comes through the words of others, like yours today. Hugs, friend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m so glad you were blessed, Lois. Thank you for your kind words. Your words have so often encouraged me, too. By the way, it’s our dream to live by a lake, too. 🙂 Also, I’d love to “share a cup of something hot at (y)our refinished table” if we ever get that way. 🙂 Hugs to you, too! May our hearts be wide open to God’s equipping and strengthening provision!
LikeLike