I Kings 19:15
‘The LORD said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus; and when you have arrived, you shall anoint Hazael king over Aram.”‘
Part of this feels like business as usual. Quite a difference from the past couple weeks of high drama. First he sends a message to king Ahab that rain is coming. Then he sends a challenge to all the prophets of the nation to come and see who is God. He would be the one who would bring fire from heaven and consume the sacrifices. Elijah and God won and it said the opposing prophets were killed. Jezebel, the queen threatened Elijah with the same result, so he fled.
God allows him to eat and sleep for days, then takes a long hike and God shows him that He isn’t just the God of the dramatic, but has a still, small voice. Then todays verse comes. He gives him a charge to anoint a king. It feels like business as usual. He is performing tasks for God.
God gave Elijah a spa experience. I would imagine he is refreshed. That’s important. He went away after some big events. Jesus did this several times. Mark 6:31 shares such a time; ‘And He said to them, “Come with Me privately to a solitary place, and let us rest for a while.” For many people were coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.’
Elijah was very afraid, for he asked God to take his life. Instead God fed him, gave him sleep and guided him away for rest and refreshment. This was needed. We are limited people who fail and falter. This was a once is a lifetime event. God met him and restored him. God gives him a new charge and he goes back to work.
We may be stressed, saddened or afraid. Usually a nights sleep helps. Often times going to work and engaging our minds gets our focus off ourselves. I have learned of the blessing of work in these times. It may be an ordinary day, but diverting our attention from our issues is nice.
That’s how today’s verse feels. Elijah goes back to work and it’s business as usual. He goes and does it. If we didn’t have the whole story one may wonder if he would do it. Would he still be paralyzed with fear? We see no hint of that. He goes and does it.
Lord, thank You for the times You take us away for rest. Thank You also for jobs that we can busy ourselves and get our minds off our troubles.