February 19 Daily Devotional

Monthly Theme:

Elijah's name is his mission: "My God is the LORD." Elijah teaches us the meaning of repentance by the removal of idolatry. Unless we obey the Word, God's blessings don't descend. Instead, the land will experience a terrible drought.

Bible Reading:

1 Kings 19:3–9

Bible Text:

"I have had enough, LORD," he said. "Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors" (1 Kings 19:4).

Devotional:

Elijah fled a hundred miles south. On the southern border of Judah, he said farewell to his servant. Then he journeyed into the desert. He did not intend to return.

This man had spent his life fighting sin and ignorance. And although he had scored some victories, Jezebel was still the queen, and Israel remained choked with superstition.

Elijah ran until his strength failed him. He lay down beneath a desert shrub that provided little shade from the merciless sun. Then he spoke to the LORD his God:

"Let me die, just as my ancestors did. I have had enough. I am unspeakably tired. Please, let me die."

Elijah was subject to fatigue and despair, just as we are. And God knew what Elijah needed, just as he knows our needs. God sent an angel. The angel said, "Get up and eat." After Elijah ate and slept some more, God sent the angel again: "Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you."

We find great comfort in the fact that God "knows how we are formed" and "remembers that we are dust" (Ps. 103:14). Because God knows us, he cares for us. God can nod at one of his angels and say, "Give that child of mine a good night's sleep; otherwise she won't be able to cope with tomorrow."

God cares for us as we are—body and soul, mind and matter. When fatigue overwhelms us or panic grips us, we must learn to let go and rest in the LORD. And we should eat something.

Andrew Kuyvenhoven's Daylight, a modern devotional classic, was originally published in 1994. This edition is copyright by Faith Alive Christian Resources, from whom may be ordered Daylight, the predecessor of Twilight.

A man of many accomplishments, Andrew Kuyvenhoven is probably best known for his contributions to Today (formerly The Family Altar), a widely-used monthly devotional booklet associated with the Back to God Hour. Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations for this edition of Twilight are from the New International Version

Be sure to read the "Preface" and the "Acknowledgments" by the author.