“He lay down and slept, and behold, an angel touched him and said to him, ‘Arise and eat’” (1 Kings 19:5).
When Elijah was discouraged, fleeing from Jezebel’s threats, the angel did not bring grand visions or explanations — he simply told him to get up and eat, something simple and common. Discouragement, anxiety, and depression are part of human life; stones and water do not feel this, but we do, because we are alive. If we could not become discouraged, we would also not have the capacity to rejoice. The sin of this world pulls us down, and it is natural for us to feel this weight when we look at ourselves.
The way out of this discouragement is to draw near to God. The closer we are to Him, the more His strength covers us, bringing encouragement and peace. There is no trick or complicated secret — it is a matter of seeking the Father and letting Him lift you up, as He did with Elijah with those small instructions.
And here is what makes the difference: obedience to the Lord’s commandments is the path to this closeness. Only the obedient child can truly draw near to the Father. So, decide to live according to God’s Law today, and you will feel Him sustaining you, filling you with strength, and lifting you from discouragement to a renewed life. -Adapted from O. Chambers. Until tomorrow, if the Lord allows us.
Pray with me: Dear God, today I see myself like Elijah, sometimes discouraged and carrying the weight of this world’s sin, feeling anxiety and discouragement. I confess that, many times, I look at myself and let this weight pull me down, forgetting that You offer me something simple, like the bread the angel brought to Elijah, to lift me up. I ask that You help me lift my eyes to You, trusting that Your presence covers me and renews my joy.
My Father, today I ask You to give me strength to draw near to You, knowing that the closer I am, the more Your strength will sustain me, bringing encouragement and peace to my heart. Teach me to seek You without complications, like Elijah who heard Your simple instructions, allowing You to lift me from discouragement with Your love and care. I ask that You guide me to live in obedience to Your commandments, for I know that this is how I find true closeness with You.
Oh, Most Holy God, I adore and praise You for promising to sustain me and fill me with strength when I decide to live according to Your will, lifting me from discouragement to a renewed life as an obedient child. Your beloved Son is my eternal Prince and Savior. Your powerful Law is the light that dispels my sadness. Your commandments are a call that lifts me up. I pray in the precious name of Jesus, amen.
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