I am that person who will watch the beginning of a story and then fast forward to the final ten minutes, just to make sure that it doesn’t have a horrific ending. I hate it when the bad guys win and obliterate the good guys. Honestly, if I read I Kings 19:1-9 and thought that was the end to the entire story, I would not read the rest of Elijah’s biography. In the oratorio “Elijah” there is a solo where the title character sings “It is enough.” He is at the end of his rope.
“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’” (I Kings 19:3-4).
Do you hear the agony in Elijah’s voice? Can you picture the despair, exhaustion, and depression of a man who had totally believed God? By Elijah’s prayers severe drought arrived, fire came down from heaven that burnt to a crisp a water-soaked sacrifice, and at the right time, the rain clouds opened up again. In a movie, this would be the triumphant end and the credits would roll. However, a reversal arrives in Elijah’s fortune. Where is God?
THE REVERSAL
The arch villainess, Queen Jezebel, places a bounty on Elijah’s head. He transitions from the man of great faith to a man lying in a fetal position under a broom tree, just wanting to die. He hits bottom. In the oratorio, Elijah’s song, “It Is Enough” begins with a mournful cello solo. He sings, “It is enough! O Lord, now take away my life, for I am not better than my fathers! I desire to live no longer: now let me die, for my days are but vanity. I have been very jealous for the Lord God of Hosts, for the children of Israel have broken Thy covenant, and thrown down Thine altars, and slain all Thy prophets, slain them with the sword. And I, even I only am left: and they seek my life to take it away! It is enough! O Lord, now take away my life, for I am not better than my fathers! Now let me die, Lord, take away my life!”
WHEN YOU CAN’T SEE A FUTURE
God does not condemn Elijah’s breakdown; God enters his pain. I know this God. During my past season with the Lancaster Chorale, I severely injured my back. Just raising my arms in front of me was agony. Restorative sleep was a distant memory. The pain did not let up. “I have had enough, Lord, take my life; I am no better than my ancestors” sounds very similar to my state of mind. Extreme discouragement and I became fast friends. Neither Elijah nor I could see a future of good in our lives. We didn’t see the God that enters our pain and redeems it for good. We could only see our own grief.
GOD HEARS
Do you currently feel no hope? Your soul lies in a fetal position under the broom tree, begging for the end of the pain. If that is your story dear friend, please know plainly: God hears your cries, feels your pain, and He is sufficient to bring a hope and a future which can totally surpass your imagination, if you only let Him. Take heart. God hears. The sun is rising just around the corner……just wait.
The man who patiently endures the temptations and trials that come to him is the truly happy man. For once his testing is complete he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to all who love him. (James 1:12)