Ahead

"Arise and eat, for the journey is too great for you," 1 Kings 19:7.

Weary Elijah had already given his life to serve Jehovah God. By God's power he had survived years' long drought, provided food for the poor, returned life to a widow's only child, confronted royal authority, overcome hundreds of false idol prophets. Now on the run from powerful governmental agents, this conflict-worn man readied to die under a lone tree in the vast Judean wilderness. He's done the job. It's enough. He's done. Done. But God. But God's not. But God said, Get up, eat, drink. Job's not done. Who was to know? Elijah's too great journey was yet ahead: kings to anoint, prophecies to establish, prophets to train, kings and queens to upend, fiery chariots to ride, mantles to leave behind. Not done. Not yet. And God provided for that too great journey yet ahead. God always provides for the not yet.

We arise with a tired brother or sister today and share in God's strengthening provision for what's not yet. And, together, we give thanks for Jesus who, having eaten God's food, found strength to enter his greatest journey yet, the path to the cross.