Rest.

Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time.” And when he saw that, he arose and ran for his life, and went to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there. But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said, “It is enough! Now, Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!”  1 Kings 19:2-4

Elijah had just won a mighty battle, to only then receive threats from queen Jezebel. Guess what happened then? He wanted to give up and die! But that wasn’t what he was supposed to do!

Then as HE LAY AND SLEPT under a broom tree, suddenly an angel touched him, and said to him, “ARISE AND EAT”, Then he looked, and there by his head was a cake baked on coals, and a jar of water. SO HE, ATE AND DRANK, AND LAY DOWN AGAIN. And the angel of the Lord came back the second time, and touched him, and said, “Arise and eat, because the journey is too great for you.” So he arose, and ate and drank; and he went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights as far as Horeb, the mountain of God.
1 Kings 19:5-9

God,

I haven’t came this far to turn back now. For I know that every battle belongs to You.

It’s often in or toward the end of battle, and sometimes even after that we feel the most defeated. That’s when we want to quit. A lot of times it’s just that we need some rest and food like Elijah. We’re not thinking clearly. It’s then that we tend to examine things incorrectly as we’re cross eyed and everything is amplified 1,000x to seem worst than it really is. We’ve been so strong and courageous and we now we fear this thing that’s come against us? Often this thing is so small in comparison to what we just went through! Yet it doesn’t seem so……

Elijah fought many. No doubt he was tired,  tried and discouraged; BUT HE WON! He was worn out no doubt! Now a woman was chasing him and not only did he run, but wanted to lay down and die! What? He just won! Before we place judgment, we have to see that so many times we do the same. We’ve gotten through great battles just to be worn down and forget to rest. We begin to think this thing is gonna get the best of us. Although the story shows that a mad woman has much power; no amount of power or threats made by anyone can measure up against the power of God in you. 

Stand up! BUT FIRST, get some rest, sleep on it and eat. You may say: “but I don’t have time. Or, you don’t understand.” But oh I do! I don’t know what you’re going through but I can tend to think the whole world is crumbling. Then I go to bed and wake up the next morning with super powers! (But no really), the Holy Spirit Renews and Revives us but so does sleep, which is why God created it. He nourishes us but so does food. He wills that none perish this way but that we be strong and of good courage. But if you’re tired, weary and worn out, and there’s no rest for your soul - you’re  no good to anyone, yourself or for God. 

That’s why God created rest! That’s why He created the whole world in 6 days and called it good and on the 7th, He rested! He simply rested. If God did, how much more should you and I rest? Loose and unstrap all that weight! Shift some things around and sit with nothing to do. Let God infuse you. Fill yourself with His word. Sit in silence and listen. Renew your body and mind or it’ll get the best of you. Again, you say: “but you don’t understand.” Well you might not be able to drop everything at this very second, I don’t know. But I do know If you don’t take charge and move some things around, it’ll get you down to where you don’t have that choice and your body will do it for you! Don’t wait till it’s too late. Be like God. Be like Jesus. Do not wait till it’s forced but know when to take a rest.

God will make a way for you and often times we receive it when we least expect it. Sometimes it’s at our breaking point but He always comes through….

People and things will tend to ask and want a lot out of you. It will drain you if you’re not careful and it’ll get the best of you if you don’t know when to say no or wait. Jesus withdrew from the crowds OFTEN. He went to be alone with the Father. He knew Who His help came from! 

So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.
Luke 5:17

If He did it, again, how much more should you and I!?  We see that He did it often. He didn’t wait till He was out of gas or running on fumes. He was wise to withdraw. So must you!

When we’re low on fuel, we go yo the source to refuel and fill back again. Slow down, take time, and look up. Work! No doubt we were called to be doers and not hearers only. To do nothing is wicked and lazy (Matthew 25:26) BUT, see that He worked majority of the time (hence 6 days) and only rested one. Yet that one is what will keep you successful in the rest of the venture, lest it be in vain. Unless He builds they labor in vain that do. Unless we rest, we fall. 

Don’t just spin your wheels and go nowhere only to back up again. If you want to get unstuck, rest! Then you’ll regroup to go again. Don’t get to the end and let the little things trip you up. Get your eyes and mind set aright. GOD DID NOT BRING YOU THIS FAR TO CAUSE YOU TO QUIT, LAY DOWN AND DIE, OR TO TURN BACK NOW. Rest your mind and your body; then your soul will be renewed again - so you can get back up.

Don’t try to do or go it alone. Rely and call on God. He invites us to cast all our care and weight. We aren’t in this thing alone. A yoke was for 2 oxen. They helped each other carry the weight. It’s too heavy for you. Get under the yoke with Him, for His yoke is easy and His burden is light. When you try to go it alone you find that it’ll bury you under its weight.

For thus says the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel: “In returning and rest you shall be saved; In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.” But you would not, And you said, “No, for we will flee on horses”— Therefore you shall flee! And, “We will ride on swift horses”— Therefore those who pursue you shall be swift! Isaiah 30:15-16

Psalm 121

1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
    where does my help come from?

2 My help comes from the Lord,
    the Maker of heaven and earth.

3 He will not let your foot slip—
    he who watches over you will not slumber;

4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
    will neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The Lord watches over you—
    the Lord is your shade at your right hand;

6 the sun will not harm you by day,
    nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord will keep you from all harm—
    he will watch over your life;

8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

Song of the day by Finding Favour: “Cast my cares”