The Sustainer
Background Story: Elijah stood alone. He stood alone speaking the words of the Lord (1 Kings 17:1-6). He stood alone with the widow and her needs (1 Kings 17:7-24). He stood alone against the 450 prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18:16-46). Coming off that great mountain-top experience with God, Elijah is being pursued by Queen Jezebel.
Read 1 Kings 19:1-9
Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. 2 So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, “May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.”
3 Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, 4 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.” 5 Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep.
All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” 6 He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again.
7 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.” 8 So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. 9 There he went into a cave and spent the night.
Big Idea: God is our sustainer.
Do you ever just feel tired? I don’t mean just physically tired but emotional exhausted where you just feel like you have nothing left to give. I have been there…in truth, I was there last week. Pouring out emotional, physically, and spiritually can drain us till we feel spent and empty. Elijah is in this place. He has been poured out pleading to the people of Israel to repent and change. He’s stood against royalty, false prophets, and helped those in need. As he falls under the tree, he exclaims to God in utter honesty, “I have had enough, Lord.” I feel like raising my hand in solidarity and saying, “I feel you Elijah…I’m there too.”
What’s so precious about our God is that He doesn’t scold Elijah. He’s not disappointed by Elijah’s honest confession. He meets him right there as Elijah’s sustainer. A sustainer is one that, “endures without failing or yielding, supports in any condition by aid, keeps from sinking in despondence, keeps from falling, a rope that sustains the weight.”
God met Elijah in his discouragement and exhaustion and provided for his physical and emotional need. He allowed him to remain under that tree for a time and rest. He gave him water to drink and bread to eat to strengthen him. He met him there. God will meet you here as well to strengthen and provide rest for your soul.
But God didn’t allow Elijah to set up shop and remain under that tree. God came back a second time to strengthen Elijah for his calling and move him forward into his purpose. God will sustain and provide for everything you need emotionally, physically, and spiritually today to restore your strength. And He will show back up tomorrow to meet you again and press you forward toward your calling. He is our sustainer… the one who keeps us from sinking, the rope we cling to, the one who never fails and supports us in all conditions. He is enough. Bring Him your honest heart today and watch as God shows up!
Takeaway Verse:

Song For Today:
Looking For More?
Similar Devotions: For Every Need, Multiplication Problem, Just Enough For Today, Rest For The Soul, Another in the Fire, Because You Say So, Nothing is Wasted, Bring Everything, Deep Roots, Eyes Opened, A New Name Pt 2