The northern kingdom had broken their promise with God. Queen Jezebel harbored cold fury against the prophet, Elijah, so much so he felt compelled to flee from her. His journey led him to the wilderness. He sat under a Jupiter tree, and he prayed to die. Elijah was so tired and exhausted that he fell asleep. In the Word of God it records,’’ And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake baked on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink, and laid him down again’’ (1st Kings 19:6 KJV)
The angel of the Lord fed Elijah on two different occasions. This helped to strengthen and sustain him for his forty-day and forty- nights journey to Mt Horeb. Elijah was disheartened and hid himself in a cave at Mt. Horeb. God inquired of Elijah about why he is in the cave. Elijah told God of his eagerness, and yet no one had even heeded his warnings.
He was alone, and his life was in jeopardy. Elijah was miserable, unhappy, and discouraged. He thought he was the only one left that served God. But Elijah wasn’t alone; God told Elijah that there were seven thousand other people that didn’t worship the idol, Baal. Then God instructed Elijah where Elisha was to be found. God instructed Elijah to anoint Elisha as a prophet.
The definition for help is: a: to give assistance or support to b: to make more pleasant or bearable (Merriam-Webster) Each day someone comes in to our lives. Maybe it has been an acquaintance for the first time, a co-worker, a childhood buddy, or high school friend. Many times we may feel we can’t help or reach someone. But continually reach out in love and it will happen.
We don’t know the impact of the people that we have befriended. To really know someone, we have to spend time with them. Never put off today and expect to finish it tomorrow or next week. Cherish each moment; don’t be afraid to tell friends and family what they really mean to us.
On a regularly basis, I have made a commitment to send cards, send flowers, call my family and friends on the telephone as well as a few other small things. It doesn’t take much of our time to think of our family and friends. One of my closest friends told me this one time: “It only takes ten minutes to help someone in need.” That’s a very true statement. There are givers and takers in this world. Which one are you? I want to always be a giver; I never want to become a selfish person of anything. God sent Elisha to give Elijah a helping hand. Stay Encouraged!
