And as (Elijah the prophet) lay and slept under
a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched
him, and said to him, "Arise and eat."
1 Kings 19:5
I was debating whether to title this entry, "touched by an angel," after the popular television series that goes by this name, or simply, "Arise and eat!" I chose the latter...
a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched
him, and said to him, "Arise and eat."
1 Kings 19:5
I was debating whether to title this entry, "touched by an angel," after the popular television series that goes by this name, or simply, "Arise and eat!" I chose the latter...
Those knowledgeable of the Scriptures know the above verse from First Kings (1 Kings) to be part of the story of a tired, hungry, and depressed prophet by the name of Elijah who had been running for his life. Elijah feared Queen Jezebel, the wife of a cowardly and ungodly King Ahab, who vowed to take the prophet's life.
The Israelites, under the leadership of these two scoundrels, suffered greatly. Jezebel was killing off God's chosen prophets. She was especially gunning for poor Elijah. So off he went into the wilderness to hide from her sword.
Depressed, despondent, and weary, an exhausted Elijah plopped down under the shade of a juniper tree and went to sleep. He probably thought of himself as good as dead, and living on borrowed time.
Then, perhaps after many hours had gone by, the Lord sent an angel to awaken the prophet to eat a meal the angel had prepared for him. Then back to sleep he went. When, for a second time and after more hours had passed, the angel reawakened Elijah with still more food. And again he said to him, "arise and eat."
The Lord knew Elijah needed food and rest, along with the assurance that all is well. And this is what He's doing for me, too. A tired, overworked, and overwhelmed David needed a time for rest and refreshing just like Elijah did. And I got it.
Of course, my situation was in no way as desperate or dramatic as that of Elijah's having to run for his life, but my needs were the same. Rest, recuperation, and refreshing. That's what Doctor Jesus recommended. So He arranged for my deliverance from a bad and spiritually unhealthy environment.
I'm now in a new location where I've been able to experience a much-needed time of renewal. Just like God did for Elijah, He gave food and sleep to help restore me to full strength.
D.B.
The Israelites, under the leadership of these two scoundrels, suffered greatly. Jezebel was killing off God's chosen prophets. She was especially gunning for poor Elijah. So off he went into the wilderness to hide from her sword.
Depressed, despondent, and weary, an exhausted Elijah plopped down under the shade of a juniper tree and went to sleep. He probably thought of himself as good as dead, and living on borrowed time.
Then, perhaps after many hours had gone by, the Lord sent an angel to awaken the prophet to eat a meal the angel had prepared for him. Then back to sleep he went. When, for a second time and after more hours had passed, the angel reawakened Elijah with still more food. And again he said to him, "arise and eat."
The Lord knew Elijah needed food and rest, along with the assurance that all is well. And this is what He's doing for me, too. A tired, overworked, and overwhelmed David needed a time for rest and refreshing just like Elijah did. And I got it.
Of course, my situation was in no way as desperate or dramatic as that of Elijah's having to run for his life, but my needs were the same. Rest, recuperation, and refreshing. That's what Doctor Jesus recommended. So He arranged for my deliverance from a bad and spiritually unhealthy environment.
I'm now in a new location where I've been able to experience a much-needed time of renewal. Just like God did for Elijah, He gave food and sleep to help restore me to full strength.
D.B.
