The story of the prophet Elijah in I Kings 17-19 paints an excellent picture of those who try to carry the burdens of life on their own. Just after Elijah called fire down from heaven to consume the sacrifice on the altar of Baal, the king's wife Jezebel sent intimidating threats to him which quickly changed his disposition. One minute he was a mighty man of faith and power and the next minute he became a coward who ran for his life. Not only did fear get the best of him, but he became depressed and suicidal.
God responded to his situation by sending an angel on two separate occasions to strengthen him with some "angel food cake" but after eating it, Elijah still couldn't shake his predicament. In addition to the food, the angel spoke a message to Elijah that went in one ear and out the other: "The journey is too great for you." Unfortunately, Elijah thought the angel was just talking about the need to eat to have energy for his travels. (More on this later)
Forty days later, Elijah came to Mount Horeb and entered a cave with the resolve to give up on his spiritual calling. In that lonely place the Lord asked him this simple question: "What are you doing here, Elijah?" Contained in the question was a statement that implied that he wasn't supposed to hang out in caves. God had called him to be his prophetic mouthpiece, not a refuge on the run.
Elijah's response revealed that he had yet to learn what God was trying to teach him through this situation, so God told him to leave the comfort zone of his cave for a lesson in the classroom of God's creation. God caused a strong wind, an earthquake and a fire to manifest in Elijah's clear view, and Scripture notes that "the Lord was not in" any of these forces. Then God spoke to Elijah in a still, small voice. I think God was making the point that circumstances should not dictate how we live our lives. The voice of God should direct our steps. In Elijah' case, a manipulating woman should not incite intimidation, thus silencing his prophetic voice. Something was missing in this equation and God was determined to help Elijah see just what that was. So God asked Elijah again "What are you doing here, Elijah?"
Of course God already knew the answer to his own question. He was simply trying to get Elijah to see himself from another perspective other than his own, which was skewed by the fear that drove him there in the first place. But Elijah didn't get it. He responded to God's 2nd question with the identical answer he gave before, revealing that he didn't learn a thing from God's attempt to arrest his attention through the wind, earthquake and fire.
The latter part of Elijah's response sums up what was missing in the equation of his life: "I alone am left; and they seek to take my life." Elijah truly believed that he was the only godly man left in Israel and that his days were numbered. But God burst his bubble by telling him that He had 7000 more people who had not bowed their knees to Baal, the god of Jezebel and those who conformed to her control. What Elijah didn't realize was that Jezebel was forcing him to bow his knees to Baal by submitting to her influence.
Unfortunately, Elijah missed his window of opportunity to recover out of his pity party of one. Two angel visitations, two words from God and a visual aid later, Elijah still couldn't shake loose from the pride that blinded him from his greatest need: the strength of relationships. The angel said it quite well: "The journey is too great for you." Elijah's greatest need wasn't nutrients for a physical journey; it was the strength of spiritual relationships for his spiritual journey.
How would the story have changed if Elijah had someone to encourage him through his Jezebel nightmare? How many more miracles would he have performed if he would have had an ear to hear the truth about his situation? How many more people would have benefited from his prophetic ministry had he made the effort to connect with the other 7000? Elijah is definitely known as a great Old Testament prophet whose words of faith activated the power of God, but I think his greatest message was spoken through his very life itself. He would want us to know the power of relationships in times of crisis.
If you wait until you're in a crisis to reach out for help, you might receive ministry but you won't necessarily develop relationships. But if you develop relationships prior to your crisis, you will undoubtedly have a support system to help you through. Unfortunately for Elijah it was too little, too late. But it's not too late for you! You can believe God for the relationships you need to succeed in life and to fulfill your calling. You can submit your current relationships before the Lord for His divine adjustments. And you can surrender your will to the Father in exchange for His wisdom to do your part in each relationship. Don't allow circumstances to dictate your relationships. Let the word of the Lord have its course in your life!
