GOD'S STRENGTH FOR TODAY

 

 

 

Psalm 73:26 "I may be weak, but Your spirit's is strong in me. My flesh may fail, but my God You never will fail.”      My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. KJV

 

For Elijah Ministry  -  Against the backdrop of Elijah’s failure, this little demonstrative particle highlights God’s gracious work to restore the prophet back to his ministry regardless of what he had done. Let’s look at how the Lord worked to restore the prophet.

God’s Provision for Elijah -1 Kings 19: 5-18)   Note that five times the word “behold” is used to highlight Elijah 

 

1. The Provision of Sleep (vs. 5a)

     Elijah had a good rest and an angel came and refreshed his spirit. 

 

2. The Provision of Angel vs. 5b

This special work of God’s grace did not occur on the summit of Mount Carmel, nor when in conflict with the prophets of  Baal, nor by the brook where the Lord had sent Elijah, nor when he was in prayer and intimate fellowship. It occurred when he was in the wilderness, when Elijah was out of fellowship. It was when he was depressed and a deserter with the best his own strategies could supply.

Verse 5 tells us an angel was touching him, awakening him to eat. But in verse 7 this angel is identified as “the angel of the LORD,” a description always used in the Old Testament of a special manifestation of God Himself. This was no ordinary angel. It was a Theophany or better yet, a Christophany--a manifestation of the second person of the Trinity.

 

3. The Provision of Food (vs. 6)

Elijah needed some special instruction from the Lord, but again, he first needed physical strength through nourishment. He was in no condition to listen or take in the Word of God. Twice he is told to eat and drink, and twice he is allowed to sleep.

 

The Trip to Horeb, the Mountain of God (vs. 8)

Verse 8 tells us “he arose and ate and drank, and went . . . to Horeb, the mountain of God - God’s Strength for the Mountain of God. The glory of God is waiting for Elijah now.  God is preparing for the Glorious Glory when our spirit and strength fails.  We emptying ourselves so that we can filled with all His glory and power for His Work. Amen.