“I have had enough, LORD.”
1 KINGS 19:4

Alone but Not Alone 1 Kgs 19:1-18

Elijah experienced wide emotional swings in his life as God’s prophet. In a time when the nation of Israel was far from the Lord, he faced the lonely task of serving God as most of the nation—even religious leaders—worshiped Baal instead. But he also experienced the joys of seeing God work to preserve and restore life for a poor widow and her son (17:8-24) and the exhilaration of seeing God bring down fire from heaven to defeat Baal and his prophets on Mount Carmel (18:16-40). But that victory came at a price—he was immediately given notice that the queen of Israel intended to kill him for his actions!

Under a death threat, Elijah traveled a day’s journey before sitting down alone under a solitary broom tree. The man who had prayed for fire and rain now prayed for his own death. He had had enough. Even in this extreme distress, however, Elijah acknowledged that God was in charge. Later, in a cave on Mount Sinai, God asked the worn out and dejected prophet, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” (19:9). He replied defensively, reminding God of his zealous service. No one stood with him, and he was now under a death threat. God answered Elijah’s complaint by taking him to the open mountain. There he experienced storm, earthquake, and fire, but Elijah finally heard God in “the sound of a gentle whisper” (19:12).

Again God challenged Elijah—and, again, he replied with the same response as before: I am all alone. Had his encounter with God made no difference? But God spoke once again, telling him to go back and anoint others. Elijah was never alone—and neither are you!

Moving on to new places and situations can bring considerable challenges. People with disabilities often find familiar surroundings comforting. Change can be threatening. Building new relationships can be difficult. Yet if God says “move,” we must go. Determine to be one of the many who have remained faithful because of God’s grace (19:18), and you’ll never be alone!