Down and Blue Days

It is enough; now, O LORD, take my life, for I am not better than my fathers. 1 Kings 19:4

Note carefully how the Lord healed Elijah’s depression. He gave him rest and sleep. The prophet had to be rebuilt physically. Then the Lord fed him with nourishing food. When he was rested and refortified, the Lord asked the shocking question which broke the bind: “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He wanted Elijah to get in touch with what was happening to him. Then the Lord sent outward signs of His power: wind, earthquake, and fire.

But the assurance of the Lord’s presence came from within in a still, small voice. Elijah was finally quiet, rested, and ready to hear. His status with the Lord was not dependent on his spectacular feats of victory, but on the Lord’s love and acceptance. The same fire which had won the victory on Mount Carmel now burned in his heart. Then He sent Elijah back to work, not in his own strength, but with the Lord’s. He gave the prophet a new image of himself, a new task, and a new power. Discouragement was turned to new courage.

The Lord will do the same for each of us when we take ourselves and our failures too seriously and forget to take the Lord seriously enough. Think about it.

Pastor Ken