In First Kings, chapter nineteen, verse five, God dealt with the discouraged Elijah in an understanding and compassionate way, as in Hebrews four, fourteen through fifteen. He allowed Elijah to sleep and nourished him with food in verses five through seven. God visited Elijah with an awe-inspiring revelation of His power and presence in verses eleven to thirteen. The Lord provided additional disclosure and direction in verses fifteen through eighteen. God then gives Elijah a faithful companion and a kindred spirit in verses sixteen, nineteen through twenty-one.
In other words, when God’s children are discouraged in the place God has put them, they can, through Christ, ask God to give strength, grace, and encouragement to make them adequate for their situation. God left Elijah to himself to show that when he was bold and robust, it was in the Lord and the power of his might. However, of himself, Elijah was no better than his fathers. God knows what he designs us for, though we do not, what services, what trials, for He will equip us with sufficient grace.
At the beginning of chapter nineteen, Jezebel sends Elijah a threatening message. Carnal hearts are hardened and enraged against God by that which should convince and conquer them. Great faith is not always alike strong. Elijah might have been serviceable to Israel at this time and had all reason to depend upon God’s protection while doing God’s work, yet he flees. His was not the deliberate desire of grace, as Paul’s, to depart and be with Christ.
For believers, as a servant of Christ, the battle with the world, flesh, and the enemy carries on. Similar to a boxing match, there will be mini-victories as each round comes. However, there is another round coming. The battle will have some intense moments, but we should be ready and listen to the Holy One in our corner.