Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. He went to Beersheba, a town in Judah, and he left his servant there. Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die… 1 Kings 19:3-4
In this passage, you see Elijah after an intense spiritual victory. Elijah walked in God’s anointing as a prophet and God worked mighty miracles through his hands. Yet, here Elijah has come to the end of himself. How did he get to this point of desperation?
First, Elijah faced social isolation. In verse 3, Elijah made a willing decision to travel alone. He thought he was alone, but God had kept 7,000 prophets for Himself.
The enemy tries to make you feel like no one understands your problems and tries to isolate you from others. He discourages you from connecting with other believers, both as part of your routine and when you face tough times. Fellowshipping with other believers must be part of your lifestyle. For the men and women of the early church, it was beyond being a part of their lifestyle – they were devoted to it!
All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. Acts 2:42-44
Many people make the mistake of breaking fellowship with other believers and the church and are soon discouraged in their faith.
On the contrary, if you maintain those relationships, your life will be full of teaching, fellowship and prayer!
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for bringing Christian friends into my life. Jesus prayer for unity in the church, and I echo that prayer. Use my love for my brothers and sisters to cause others to see Your love. I pray that relationships in my church will grow beyond shaking hand on Sunday morning, and that we we’ll become one. Use me to start this in my home church. Make me an encourager of others who. Like Elijah, are feeling alone and discouraged. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.