BEWARE THE CRASH

I was just noting how Jesus was led from His baptism into the wilderness to be tempted. In our reading today, the same pattern seems to be true for Elijah. After more than three years of judgment and drought, Elijah comes out of hiding to have a showdown with the prophets of Baal and Asherah. The showdown is magnificent and miraculous, and the entire crowd of Israelites shouts, "The Lord is God! The Lord is God!" (And with special poignance, the Hebrew words they said were, "Elijah! Elijah!)

Immediately after winning the hearts of the nation in a worship revival, and killing all 950 false prophets, Elijah sends a bold message to King Ahab that rain is finally coming. Elijah prays fervently seven times, and at last the heavy rains are coming. Elijah arrives at Jezreel about the same time as the king, and the message comes to him that Queen Jezebel is out to slaughter Elijah. Suddenly, perhaps unexpectedly, Elijah's mood goes from powerful boldness to fearful flight. He runs to the desert, exhausted, frightened, alone and spent.

The higher the mountain, the deeper the valley. There couldn't have been a higher mountain for Elijah, and there in the valley, alone, Elijah wants his life to end. I notice several things: he's alone, he THINKS he's the only faithful prophet (because he was alone against the false prophets of Baal), he's had an exhausting last 24 hours, and the revival that he perhaps thought God was starting to work backfires and catches him by surprise. When I am alone, spent and off balance, I am also susceptible to depression.

But I take great comfort in this: God sees and knows, and He sends an angel to give Elijah what he needs. First, he needs a good night's sleep and a couple of good meals. Then, he needs a change of scenery and the hint of another mission. God has a plan for the future, not just a work in the past. I can take a day and gather my strength, but then God may have another mission. He is still in control and has plans for tomorrow, when I'm ready to hear them.

"LORD, I have experienced the crash before. Sometimes I expect it, but it still usually takes me by surprise. Here I am. Pick me up, send me off and whisper in my ear again, and I will be ready to follow you on the next adventure, however big or small it may be. May I bring You glory, Lord, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, one God, without end. Amen."
-ker