Too Much For You!

Years ago I suffered from chronic hypoglycemia, commonly known as low blood sugar.  I would become very weak, disoriented, and confused until I would eat something.  Many times I was tempted to grab something sweet because it brought instant results but I found that a protein was a much better choice.  Sometimes there didn’t seem to be a rhyme or reason for this attack that could stop my body in its tracks but sometimes it came after a sugar high.  You know when you eat a half bag of oreo cookies on the way home from the store and then you crash into the throws of hypoglycemia.

In 1 Kings in the Old Testament of the Bible, we read a story about Elijah coming off of a “high” of sorts.  He had done great things in the name of God and now Queen Jezebel was out to kill him.  He had just witnessed God great power but now he was frightened by the threat from one woman.  Somehow, as he heard her words, the Bible says, “He ran for his life” and laid down and wanted to die.  “I have had enough, LORD!”, he declared  Have you been there?  I’ve had enough of this Covid 19 thing!  I’ve had enough of this cancer thing!  I’ve had enough of the constant pain that racks my body, it is just unbearable!  I’ve had enough of my unfair boss and his cutting words!  I’ve had enough of this unemployment!  Sound familiar?

What happened next?  How did God deal with his discouraged prophet?  Well, Elijah did what I tend to do when I am discouraged, he laid down and took a nap.  We don’t know how long of a nap he took but suddenly an angel touched him and said get up and eat.  I think Elijah suffered from a sort of low blood sugar.  He had run out of juice so to speak.  Many times we do this same thing.  We push ourselves without spiritual food or rest. Even when we are busy doing God’s work we forget to get our daily meal from the Word of God.  We fail to rest in His arms of peace but go it alone.  But, here twice God through an angel provided the nourishment that Elijah needed.  The angel said get up and eat for the journey is too much for you!  God is saying the same thing to us.  The journey through Covid is too much for you.  The cancer, the pain, the sufferings of life are too much for you.  The words that came next encourages my heart!  “After he ate he was strengthened…. and he got up!  So many times I have been encouraged by the Word of God!  So many times I have been strengthened from weakness and confusion.  Once disoriented and fearful I received power, direction, and courage to do what I know God wants me to do.  Thank You, Lord!

“Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep. All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.”

The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.””
‭‭1 Kings‬ ‭19:3-5, 7‬ ‭NIV‬‬