Elijah called down fire from heaven in the face of four hundred and fifty prophets at Mount Carmel. He prayed for rain, and there was a downpour. What mighty victories!

   Depleted and worn out, exhaustion soon replaced his sense of euphoria. After such a feat, you would think that Elijah would have been surrounded by well-wishers, slapping him on the back and offering congratulations, wouldn’t you?

   But, enter Jezebel. As soon as the news of Elijah’s victory reached the queen, she responded with a threat. “So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time” (1 Kings 19:2).

   Elijah was not operating at his best. He had withstood overwhelming odds at Mount Carmel and impacted the elements with his prayers, yet one angry woman sent him into a panic. Running for his life, he left his servant at Be’-er’she’-ba, and ran another day’s journey into the wilderness.

   It is easy for us to feel that he had overreacted. Tired and exhausted, he collapsed under a juniper tree. “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life” (1 Kings 19:4).

   He lay down and slept. At last, an angel touched him, “Arise and eat.” (1 Kings 19:5).

   God had sent water and food for Elijah to eat and drink, but had waited to present it until after the weary prophet had slept.

   This story tells us much more than the progression of events in the life of Elijah. We too are familiar with the powerful anointing that falls on us as we obey God’s direction and labor in His kingdom. Once that anointing lifts, fatigue follows.

   Depleted, and in desperate need for sustenance we are unable to receive what God has for us until we do something really spiritual—REST!

   Once we allow our bodies to be restored, we can enjoy the bounty that God provides to strengthen us. Jesus addressed this same issue in Mark 6:30-31:

“And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught. And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.”

   First things first! Sometimes the most spiritual thing that we can do is to do nothing. Perhaps not for long, but for a few minutes—an hour or two—perhaps a few days? We need to shut everything down and take care of God’s temple—the tabernacle that He works through.

   We do need to seek His strength, comfort, refreshing, and help, but perhaps it would be multiplied back into our lives if we obeyed the example presented in His Word—and rest!

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light”    

(Matthew 11:28-30).

“This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing” (Isaiah 28:12).