The Gentle Touch

1 Kings 19: 7 And the angel…touched him and said, “Arise and eat, because the journey is too great for you”.

The wilderness was quiet, except for the occasional cry of a vulture. Even the lizards seemed to be looking for shade from the early afternoon sun. A frightened bird flew up as the man came stumbling through the bushes. He was soaked with sweat and breathing hard. Pieces of leaves and twigs were in his beard and dozens of “burrs” stuck to his shaggy clothes. He collapsed in exhaustion under the shade of a tree and lay on his face on the ground. After a few minutes, he rolled slowly over, then sat up. Head between his knees, face to the ground and hands on his head, he prayed to God to take his life away because he couldn’t take any more. Then, totally spent, he fell into a deep sleep.

If anyone from Israel could see Elijah now they would have been shocked. Wasn’t this the man who had marched into the king’s palace and rebuked him with such authority? Wasn’t he the one who declared famine on Israel and no rain fell for three years? Wasn’t he the same guy who stood alone against hundreds of Baal’s followers and called down fire from Heaven? What in the world had happened to Elijah? Exhausted, discouraged, terrified and suicidal. Elijah!

God watched from Heaven with a smile. After several hours He sent an angel to His runaway prophet. The angel cooked a meal for him, woke him up and let him eat and then sent him back to sleep. He watched while he slept and after a long while he woke him again and gave him another meal urging him to eat before he resumed his journey; running away from his enemies and the enemies of his God. Come on, Lord! This guy is a disappointment. He is letting you down, running away from one little woman. Where is his courage? Where is his faith in You?

But God is not like us. He understands that even the strongest of us is weak at times. He appreciated the faith and courage of Elijah and all that he had done. He knew that after every high moment in our lives we tend to have an emotional slump. He knew that at this moment what this tough guy needed was a gentle voice and a shoulder to cry on. And He is just as gentle, kind and patient with us at those times when we need it most. Thank God, He is more than a Boss. He is our Father.

Dear Lord, thank You for being loving, kind and patient with us even at those moments when we have failed you. Teach us to be gentle with each other also we pray, in Jesus’ name, amen.