In 1 Kings 19, we find the prophet Elijah at a low point. After his great victory over the prophets of Baal, he is now fleeing for his life from Queen Jezebel, who has threatened to kill him. Exhausted and afraid, Elijah retreats into the wilderness. There, under a broom tree, he prays to God, saying, “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers” (1 Kings 19:4). Elijah’s experience is a vivid reminder that even God’s most faithful servants can face moments of discouragement and despair.
Life’s burdens can sometimes feel overwhelming, tempting us to give up and believe we’ve done all we can. But God’s response to Elijah offers us a powerful message: there is still work to be done.
After Elijah’s prayer, God doesn’t immediately fix his situation. Instead, He sends an angel to provide for Elijah’s basic needs, offering food and water to sustain him. Elijah is strengthened enough to continue his journey, eventually arriving at Mount Horeb, where God speaks to him. In the stillness, through a low whisper, God reminds Elijah that His work is not finished. Elijah is given a renewed mission: to anoint new leaders and prepare the next generation of prophets (1 Kings 19:15-16). Even in his moment of despair, Elijah still has a vital role in God’s plan. When we feel like Elijah— ready to give up or unsure of what comes next—we can take comfort in this story. Like Elijah, we may need to pause and allow God to restore us. But even in our weariness, God still has a purpose for us. The work He has called us to is not yet complete.
God also reminds Elijah that he is not alone. “Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal” (1 Kings 19:18). Elijah may have felt isolated in his struggle, but God shows him there is still a faithful remnant, just as there are others around us who are faithful and fighting the same battles. God calls us to persevere because He sees the bigger picture.
We may not always understand the immediate purpose of our efforts, but God does. Our work, whether big or small, fits into His greater plan. Even when we feel our strength is failing, God will sustain us, as He did with Elijah. The harvest will come if we continue to trust in Him. So, remember Elijah’s story when the weight of life makes us feel like retreating. God is not done with us yet. There is still work to be done. Let us hold onto His strength and trust that He is working through us in ways we may not fully understand. “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9).
Jake Bailey
Dalraida church of Christ is a congregation of Christians that meet in the mid-town area of Montgomery, Alabama. Our goal and purpose is to seek and follow God and His Word in everything that we do in life.