I know someone who, when she was saved, received an unusual appetite for the Word. She’d sit in her study for long hours searching and reading the Scriptures. Often, she’d ask the Lord why this was happening, and she’d hear that still small voice in her heart saying, “I’m training you and you need to catch up…”
Hello! Good evening, my friend. How’re you doing? Welcome to this week’s edition of The Jesus Therapy Seven. It’s my earnest prayer that as we seek to know God more, our lives will take the perfect form necessary to fulfil His purposes, in Jesus’ name, Amen!
Nourished for the Journey Ahead
The preparation that begets entering into the doors of destiny is often a painful one. Those who want to travel far are mindful of packing heavily, while those who are flippant about reaching God’s desired end pack lightly and soon take off.
Like everyone on a long journey, the latter soon meets several challenges on the way — bad weather, vehicle running out of petrol, weariness from awaiting expectations and even hunger.
In 1 Kings 19, Elijah was inching close to the fulfilment of his purpose for living. He was weak. He was afraid. He was discouraged, but his assignment was not done. Ready to throw in the towel, he uttered these strong words of defeat, “It is enough! Now, Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!” (1 Kings 19:4 NKJV).
In what will become a rescue operation to salvage what was left of his faith, the Lord awoke him to eat. This verse has often been used to remind us to eat when we’re down, but we must be wary of what occasion we’re rising to after we have eaten. In 1 Kings 21, Ahab was also down from rejection. Lying sullen, his wife Jezebel awoke him to eat. What a dangerous call.
I want us to note that there is a rising to eat that emboldens us for wickedness —
Then Jezebel his wife said to him, “You now exercise authority over Israel! Arise, eat food, and let your heart be cheerful; I will give you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.” - 1 Kings 21:7
But the call for Elijah was different. He was awoken to get ready for the journey ahead. It was a call to be clothed with divine strength. I pray we heed the Lord’s call for preparedness in this time.
There’s a Yonder Place
And the angel of the LORD came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee.
1 Kings 19:7 KJV
There’s an expected end in the heart of God for our walks with Him. Every day, He looks forward to adding a measure of His knowledge, giving us the opportunity for a practical application of His Word.
The call to arise and eat is for those who intend to do more than their fathers. In a generation of spiritual laxity, God is seeking athletes who’ll rise to the occasion in pursuit of more.
The call to arise and eat is a call to gaining stamina in the inner man. If Elijah went in the strength of a meal for 40 days and 40 nights, how much more do we need to eat our divine portion for greater works?
The call to arise and eat is a call to making spiritual investments which are precious seeds mostly sown in tears, behind closed doors, and away from cheerleaders. In this we have hope — that those who sow in tears shall reap in joy (Psalm 126:5).
The call to arise and eat is a call to make the Word our meat. A call to tarry until the Word becomes flesh in us. A call to insist until the Holy Spirit changes our nature. A call to expend our strength and exchange our weakness for His strength.
Whenever we’re tempted to throw in the towel, the Lord says, “Arise and eat!”
PRAYER
Lord, I have often grown weary in this journey to becoming all that you’d have me become
But I know there’s a yonder place to go with you
Revive me again for this pursuit
Don’t let me get distracted by those getting ahead
Load me with the necessities for this journey
I take your Word as my meat
Make me an arrow in your quiver and
Bring me into the inheritance you have preserved for me
In Jesus’ name. Amen.
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. - Jeremiah 29:11 KJV
Till next time,
Wednesday, God willing.
Truly the Word of God to Every Believer in this season, Arise and EAT! For the darkness is getting darker, so must our Light shine even BRIGHTER!
Thank You Jesus Therapy Seven, Always❤️.