By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo
1 Kings 19:3-4 "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.” - NIV
Prophet Elijah was one distinguished by great miracles and exceptional relationship with God. He had shut up the heavens without rain in the land for three years and opened it up again by the word of the Lord. He rid the land of false prophets and idolatry, and restored worship to God in a dramatic encounter when he called fire down from heaven. Jezebel, the queen and chief sorcerer threatened to kill him and he fled for his life.
In the scripture above, we see him tired, exhausted from the journey and in fear. He prays to die. All of a sudden, the great national achievements registered meant nothing. His strong relationship with God over the years seemed not to help. He saw his life as useless, likening it to that of his ancestors. He wanted to die. He prayed for death. How could this be for such an exceptional calibre of a man of God?
Such is the effect of burn out and exhaustion in life. In our fast paced, evil and stressful world, full of so much that drains our lives, and sometimes sends us to the brink of despair, the feelings of hopelessness, meaningless living fills our minds. The enemy, whose mission is to steal, kill and destroy will be quick to suggest strategies that further take life away from us. God is equally concerned about our state of wellbeing as we shall learn later. Our lives shouldn’t end in despair. There is hope in God as we too take some deliberate actions!
Psalm 27:13-14 "[I had fainted], unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD."