1 Kings 19:1-18

Spiritual victory does not remove our human weakness.

Dear brothers and sisters, this brings a revelation to us. Spiritual victory does not remove our human weakness. Even when we experience some spiritual or ministry success or achievements, it neither means we are spiritually mature or superior, nor that we have overcome our human weaknesses. We are still all broken people, who crumble in the face of persecution and threat, who need God’s grace and mercy.

The second revelation for us is that when we lament or complain about our situation, it is not a further deterioration of our weakness. It is the presentation of the reality of our problems that we are facing unto God. Elijah truly felt that he was not worthy to be a prophet, or even to be a child of God, probably because he was ashamed that he had run away from persecution and threats to his life. But God did not rebuke him or disqualify him. He restored Elijah physically and spoke to him. When we become weak at some moments of our life, let us not judge ourselves or others when it happens. Rather, let us present the reality of our problems to Him.

Lastly, God responds to our needs. In the passage, we see that God gives rest and food, to allow the restoration of the physical self. And He revealed Himself to Elijah in a gentle whisper, not in loud majestic ways. Here we can see that God reveals Himself in different ways which we need to learn to recognize. More importantly, His Presence brings Hope! It is not loud and visible, but it is absolutely dependable.
Dear brothers and sisters, as we navigate through our lives, may His Presence brings restoration and hope to us in the midst of our difficult moments in life.