AUGUST 27, 2014
Life’s
Darkest Moments
Read: 1
Kings 19:1-8
An angel touched [Elijah], and said to him, “Arise and eat.” —1 Kings 19:5
Charles Whittlesey was
a hero’s hero. Leader of the so-called “Lost Battalion” in World War I, he was
awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery when his unit was trapped behind
enemy lines. When the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was dedicated, Charles was
chosen to serve as pallbearer for the first soldier laid to rest there. Two
weeks later, it is presumed that he ended his own life by stepping off a cruise
ship in the middle of the ocean.
Like Elijah (1 Kings
19:1-7), Charles was publicly strong, but in the quiet, post-public moments,
his feelings of despair set in. People today frequently face situations bigger
than they can handle. Sometimes it’s temporary despair brought on by fatigue,
as in Elijah’s case. He had been part of a great victory over the prophets of
Baal (18:20-40), but then he feared for his life and ran into the wilderness
(19:1-3). But often, it’s more than despair and it’s more than temporary.
That’s why it is imperative that we talk about depression openly and
compassionately.
God offers His
presence to us in life’s darkest moments, which enables us, in turn, to be His
presence to the hurting. Crying out for help—from others and from God—may be
the strongest moment of our lives.
Father, grant us the
candor to admit to each
other that sometimes
life overwhelms us. And
grant us the courage
to help others find
help—and to seek it
when we need it.
Hope comes with help
from God and others.
Insight
Elijah, deemed
Israel’s greatest prophet, was highly revered and well spoken of by the Jews,
by the Lord Jesus Himself, and by the apostles (Matt. 17:10-11; Luke 1:17; Rom.
11:2-4, James 5:17-18). He appeared with Moses at the transfiguration of Jesus
(Matt. 17:3). Because Elijah did not die (2 Kings 2:1), the Jews believed he
would come back again (Mal. 4:5). Many scholars believe that Elijah will be one
of the two witnesses mentioned in Revelation 11.
Source:
Our Daily Bread 2012
