In 1 Kings 19, Jezebel was angry and promised to kill Elijah after hearing what he did to the prophets of Baal. Upon hearing the threats against himself, Elijah arose and ran for his life. In 1 Kings 19:4, we see that “…he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said, ‘It is enough! Now, Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!’” (NKJV). In this verse, we hear the words of a faithful servant of God who was struggling. God saw His servant, and in verses 5-8, we see God refreshed him before sending him on his way.
After traveling many days, his struggles are more clearly defined in verses 10 and 14, where he said, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life” (1 Kings 19:14). Elijah acknowledged his zeal and work for the Lord but also highlighted how Israel has rejected God and His servants. Elijah felt alone and scared. I imagine he was also extremely tired, but once again God was there to set Elijah on the right path and to remind him that he was not alone.
Have you ever felt like you were the only one who was trying to live righteously and serve God? Obviously, these were feelings with which Elijah had to deal, and perhaps you experience some of the same feelings from time to time, too. Elijah was surrounded by a nation filled with people who were wrapped up in idol worship, as well as with other forms of wickedness. We also are surrounded by so many people who practice various forms of wickedness. It is easy to get discouraged and feel like we are fighting this fight all alone, but like Elijah, we all need to remember that we are never truly alone. God is always with us. Let us all continue to fight the good fight of faith (1 Timothy 6:12; 2 Timothy 4:7), and whether we are alone or it just feels like we are alone, let us remember God and continually let God and His Word provide the comfort and the strength we need to continue to walk and work for Him.
