"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty." Psalm 91:1
Psalm 91:3-5 "Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day's journey into the desert. He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. "I have had enough, Lord," he said. "Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors."
1 Kings 1:5 "Then he lay down under the tree and fell asleep. All at once an angel touched him and said, "Get up and eat."
1 Kings 19:6-8 "He looked around, and there by his head was a cake of bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again. The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, "Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you. So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God."
Jesus knew that Elijah would need strength in order to fulfill the plan and purpose He had for him. Without that God given strength, Elijah could have died in that desert. There was still work that needed to be done by Elijah. God sent an angel to Elijah in one of his weakest and most hopeless moments. Why did God come to him under that broom tree? God came to him because Elijah first came to God. Elijah prayed intensely for God to take him, he was in such a state of hopelessness that he felt the only way he could escape was if God would take him. Even in that state of mind, Elijah found hope in God and the way he reached God was through prayer. There is power in prayer! Elijah had a deep relationship with God. He talked with God and knew God was with him. Many have not prayed a prayer of desperation like Elijah prayed. God loved Elijah the same way He loves us and He desires for us to pray and talk to Him throughout our days as well. He took Elijah in a unique and awesome way, 2 Kings 2:1 "When the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal." "the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective"(James 5:16). Through all the trials Elijah faced while standing against the wickedness of Israel, he prayed! He earnestly, whole heartily, intensely prayed with purpose! That is exactly how we should go to the Lord! He is anxiously waiting for us to come to Him. It is His up most desire! We should pray expecting God to deliver us, and answer our prayers. We need to know He is with us every step we take throughout our lives. He never leaves us or forsakes us. He longs to draw closer to us and us to Him. He desires for us to think on Him when we awake in the morning and when we lay down to rest at night. We can have absolute trust and confidence in Him, knowing that He works according to what is best for us in our lives. We can't for tell the future, but we know who holds the future! The Bible tells us "all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."(Romans 8:28)
Psalm 91:11-16 "For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands,so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble,I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation.”
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