And God's decision in the case of Elijah, was a hard no. Instead of taking his life under the broom tree, God provided bread to Elijah to sustain him for a pilgrimage, a forty day journey to Mount Horeb. A journey without distractions, with the sole purpose of reconnecting with God, and strengthening faith. And at Mount Horeb, God gives Elijah the sense of his presence, not in violent spectacle, but in a voice emanating from sheer silence. And the voice of God asks, “What are you doing here, Elijah? What's wrong?” God truly listens to Elijah's concerns, and then God gives him what he needs most – a plan for action, and a reason for hope. Elijah will go and anoint kings over Aram and Israel that will cleanse the country of its Baal-worship. And like a light at the end of the tunnel, Elijah will go and anoint his successor, making possible the day when Elijah WILL be called to join the saints in their heavenly home.
In a few minutes, God will provide the bread of life to sustain US – he will provide for us the body of his son Jesus. Perhaps, if we are tired, that bread will inspire us to pilgrimage, maybe not a 40 day trip to Egypt, but maybe a 40 hour break from the social media at which we waste spend the most time. Perhaps we will be inspired to listen more closely for God's voice, and place our concerns before him more frequently. And perhaps God will provide for US a plan for action and a cause for hope, a specific aspect of his plan for action for the church, and a personal invitation to the life of resurrection. This will be the reason for us to soldier on, until by God's call, we are gathered to our heavenly home in the company of all his saints.
Heavenly Father, give your strength and encouragement to those of us who are tired, weak, and worn. Protect us from despair, and restore in us our joy, in Jesus' name, amen.