Sleep, Then Eat
“But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.”1 Kings 19:4 (KJV)
Elijah had just watched fire fall from heaven on Mount Carmel. A few days later he was alone under a tree in the wilderness, asking to die. “It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life.”
Look at what God did first. He didn’t lecture him. “And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat.” There was “a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head.” Elijah ate, drank and slept again.
Then the angel came “the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee.” Only after rest and food did God take him on to Horeb and speak to him there.
Sometimes our spiritual exhaustion is partly physical. We are running on no sleep, skipped meals and constant strain, and then wondering why everything feels dark. God cared for Elijah’s body before he dealt with his discouragement. Your body isn’t separate from your walk with God. Sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do tonight is go to sleep.
Read it yourself
Read 1 Kings 19:1–8. What did the angel say the second time, and why?
Is any of your discouragement right now coming from a tired body?
Lord, you cared for Elijah’s body before you spoke to his heart. Help me rest and receive your care. Amen.