Elijah had just seen fire fall from heaven on Mount Carmel. It was the greatest victory of his ministry. A few days later he was alone in the desert, sitting under a broom tree, asking God to take his life.

“I have had enough, Lord.” 1 Kings 19:4

If you have served God for a long time, you may understand him better than you would like to admit. Discouragement rarely comes at the beginning of the journey. It often comes after years of faithfulness, after a season of giving, after a disappointment with people you trusted.

What God did not do

God did not rebuke Elijah. He did not send him to a conference or give him a new assignment. First, an angel touched him and said: get up and eat. Then Elijah slept. Then the angel came back with more food, because the journey was too much for him.

Sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is rest.

The whisper

When Elijah finally reached the mountain of God, there was a great wind, an earthquake and a fire. God was not in any of them. Then came a gentle whisper, and Elijah covered his face. He had found God again, not in the spectacular, but in the quiet.

Elijah told God he was the only faithful one left. God gently corrected him: there were 7,000 in Israel who had not bowed the knee to Baal. He was never alone. That verse is where our ministry got its name.

Refreshment is a gift

Peter told the crowd in Jerusalem that times of refreshing come from the presence of the Lord. You cannot manufacture them by trying harder. But you can turn toward Him, step away from the noise, and let others walk with you.

If you are under your own broom tree today, hear this: God has bread for you, rest for you, and a word for you. And there are others on the same road.

Not sure where you are on the journey? Find your next step with eight honest questions.