People love to have mountain top experiences. They are uplifting, encouraging, and faith building, but it is difficult to live on a mountain top. Maybe you have had a mountain top experience but found out the valley was just ahead. In our story, Elijah had a great mountain top experience when the Lord used him to defeat the false prophets of Baal. The Lord showed up and sent fire from heaven consuming the sacrifice in an awesome display of power. God proved to the people that He was God. This is what Elijah a prophet of God experienced, but then there was the valley that followed.
In our reading, Ahab and Jezebel were the King and Queen of Israel and were evil and supported the false prophets of Baal.
When Ahab got home, he told Jezebel everything Elijah had done, including the way he had killed all the prophets of Baal. 2 So Jezebel sent this message to Elijah: “May the gods strike me and even kill me if by this time tomorrow I have not killed you just as you killed them.” 3 Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. He went to Beersheba, a town in Judah, and he left his servant there. 4 Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died.” 1 Kings 19:1-4.
If you were Elijah what should you do at this point? You are discouraged and frightened. Sometimes we forget that God, who was with us on the mountain, is also with us in the valley. He is only a prayer away. In addition, our Lord will never leave us and the Holy Spirit dwells in every believer. If you are in a valley today, cry out to the Lord for help.
Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again— my Savior and my God! Psalm 42:11
Tyndale House Publishers. (2013). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (1 Ki 19:1-4 & Psalm 42:11). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.