This devotional takes us back to the story of creation and lessons learned from the first chapter of the Bible. It took some time to put this together and I truly hope this blesses you in many ways to remember the true heart of our Creator.

To kick it off, read the book of Genesis, chapter 1. As you read it don’t just glance at the words like you have seen them before, but read it intently, slow it down, and allow each word and phrase to take root.

Are you done reading? Now, let’s begin :)

Bible Reading:  1st Kings 19 verse 5a Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep.

When we look at this story and read the previous chapter (1st Kings 18) we see where Elijah had accomplished quite a feat. He had defeated about 850 prophets of Baal and Asherah. He also called down fire from heaven from God miraculously. But soon afterwards (1st Kings chapter 19), we see that Elijah is threatened by Jezebel and at that moment he reaches his breaking point and asks God to take his life. 

We all go through the same things in life, when it seems we are doing all we can and the problems just won't relent. In times like this it’s even hard to celebrate the victories we have because they are short lived by new challenges. Elijah cries to God and the first thing God does for him is allow him to fall asleep. God gave him rest because at that moment he did not need encouragement, he needed rest. One of the best things God can do for us is give us rest. In Joshua 21 vs 44 the bible states that “The Lord gave them rest on every side, just as he had sworn to their ancestors. Not one of their enemies withstood them; the Lord gave all their enemies into their hands.”So rest is very important. Rest is not just sleeping; rest is taking time to disconnect from everything, relax and free your mind.  

Prayer: Lord God, I know you promised rest to your children. Please give me the rest that is needed in this season of my life. Open my eyes to see the ways you have provided rest for me in Jesus name Amen.

Question: What areas of my life do I need to take a break and enjoy the rest God promised?

Bible Reading:  1st Kings 19 verses 5 and 6 :  5 Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep.  All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” 6 He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again.

The 2nd thing we can learn from this episode in the life of Elijah is that God replenished him. The dictionary defines the word replenish as fill something up again. Another definition says “to restore a stock or supply to a former level or condition.” Elijah was operating on an empty tank and the bread and water in this scene represent the replenishment God gives. Like Elijah, many of us are running on empty, and if we don’t spend time getting replenished, we are a disaster waiting to happen. Isaiah 40 vs 31 tells us “But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” Choose to spend time replenishing yourself in God. You can do this through worship, through prayer, and through reading His word and meditating on it. 

Prayer: Lord God, please help me get the replenishment I need. In every area of my life seen or unseen that I need replenishment, let your never-ending love replenish all my empty tanks in the name of Jesus Amen.

Question: In what ways can I make myself available for God to replenish me?

Bible Reading: 1st Kings 19 verses 7 and 8 : 7 The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” 8 So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God.

The 3rd thing we see that happened to Elijah was that God gave him new revelation. In the text we read today, we see that the angel appeared to him a second time and told him to eat because where he was going was far. This wasn’t ordinary food, this was revelation from God. Enough to last him through the next 40 days. One thing we need as Christians in this age like never before is revelation from GOD. It’s that revelation that we can hold on to for 40 days, 40 weeks, 40 months, 40 year, or however long it takes us to get to where God wants to be. What sustains us is the word of God , that revelation from God. I believe that was what sustained Moses in the wilderness, Joseph in slavery, and David while he was on the run. It was the revelation from the word God had given them. Psalms 119 vs 116 says “Sustain me, my God, according to your promise, and I will live; do not let my hopes be dashed.”.

Prayer: Lord , please give me a revelation in this season, a word to sustain me and carry me to my expected end in the name of Jesus.

Question: What word has God given you that can sustain you in whatever season you are in? 

Bible Reading: 1st Kings 19 verses 15 and 16: 15 The Lord said to him, “Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. 16 Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet.

The 4th thing we see in this story is that Elijah was Re-Commissioned, he had abandoned his calling as prophet. And if you read the previous verses (1st Kings 19 verses 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14). We see that God appeared to Elijah and spoke to him directly. He had given up on God but God hadn’t given up on him. God re-commissioned him and told him to go and anoint certain people. Oftentimes when things are not going our way, we feel God has abandoned us, but still in those moments, God is never far away from us. Hebrews 13 verse 5 God states and I paraphrase “I will never leave you nor forsake you”. So whatever it is you are going through, have this assurance that God will never leave nor forsake you. Don’t give up on God because He will not give up on you.

Prayer: Lord, give me the assurance that comes from knowing you. Give me the fortitude to never give up on you even if I don’t feel you. Teach me to hold on to your words that tell me you will never leave nor forsake me in Jesus name.

Question: Are there areas in your life that you have given up on GOD? Ask God to reveal them to you so you can put your trust back in him.

Bible Reading: 1st Kings 19 verse 19 : 19 So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him.

The 5th thing we can learn from this story is that God introduced Elijah to new relationships. I am a firm believer that when we pray for stuff, our answers come through relationships. If you look at your life, you can almost trace most blessings in your life to a relationship you have. There are places, dreams, ideas that God has given us to accomplish on this earth but the beauty about that is that we need relationships. Elijah was a powerful prophet but to accomplish his mission he needed the relationship God revealed to him in Elisha. Deuteronomy 32:30  states “How could one have chased a thousand, and two have put ten thousand to flight, unless their Rock had sold them, and the Lord had given them up?”

Prayer: Oh Lord, open my eyes to see the help you have sent my way in the form of relationships. May your wisdom direct and guide me as I navigate the relationships in my life in the name of Jesus.

Question: What relationships do I need to cultivate to help me get to the next level?

Conclusion: I hope this five day devotional has helped you in finding your second wind, may the good Lord who promises to never leave nor forsake you give you rest, replenishment, revelation, recommission, and relationships that take you to the next level. God bless you in Jesus name. Amen!