Elijah had just seen one of the biggest victories in the Bible. He stood alone on Mount Carmel and faced 450 prophets of Baal. It was him versus the false religion of the day. He prayed, and fire came down from heaven. The people fell on their faces. The enemy was defeated.
It was a moment of power. A moment where God proved Himself strong. Elijah should’ve been on top of the world.
But not long after, he was running for his life.
Jezebel, the wicked queen, heard what had happened and sent a message to Elijah that she was going to kill him. And just like that, Elijah was afraid. He ran out into the wilderness and sat under a tree, feeling empty, discouraged, and ready to give up.
“But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life.” — 1 Kings 19:4
It’s amazing how fast we can go from spiritual victory to feeling alone and under attack.
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We All Get There
If you follow God, there are going to be times where you feel like you’re all alone. You can be doing right, living right, and standing for truth—and still feel like nobody is standing with you.
That’s when we really learn who God is.
Let’s look at how God helps Elijah in this low moment.
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1. He feeds him
“And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat.” — 1 Kings 19:5
God didn’t rebuke Elijah. He didn’t yell at him. He gave him food. Twice. And then let him sleep again.
Sometimes when we’re down, we need strength. And God knows that.
But spiritually speaking, God does the same for us through His Word.
“As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.” — 1 Peter 2:2
“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” — Matthew 4:4
It’s in the hard times that God’s Word starts to taste different. You can read a verse a hundred times, but when your heart is broken, that same verse becomes your lifeline. That’s what happened to Elijah. He gained strength in the wilderness, not in the palace.
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2. He speaks to him
“And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.” — 1 Kings 19:12
Elijah had seen God answer with fire before. He’d seen power and miracles. But this time, God didn’t show up loud. He whispered.
Jesus promised us the Holy Spirit would come and do the same for us.
“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things…” — John 14:26
In your lowest moments, the Holy Spirit won’t shout. He’ll whisper. He’ll remind you of truth. He’ll comfort you from the inside. Not with a show—but with a still small voice.
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3. He reveals to him
“Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal…” — 1 Kings 19:18
Elijah thought he was the only one left. But God showed him the bigger picture. There were 7,000 others who hadn’t bowed the knee.
That’s what the church is today. A group of people who haven’t bowed. We might be scattered. We might be outnumbered. But we are not alone.
“And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” — Acts 2:47
“Then cometh Simon Peter… and when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John… where many were gathered together praying.” — Acts 12:12
God always has a remnant. You’re not the only one. And when you need it most, God will show you that.
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4. He sends help to him
“…and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room.” — 1 Kings 19:16
God didn’t just tell Elijah that help existed—He gave him a helper. He sent Elisha to walk with him, to serve with him, and to carry on the work.
God is still doing that today. Sometimes we feel like we’re carrying it all on our own, and then God brings the exact person we need.
“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think…” — Ephesians 3:20
Elisha wasn’t just a partner—he would go on to do twice as many miracles as Elijah. That’s how God works. He doesn’t just refill your cup—He overflows it.
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You might be tired. You might be under attack. You might even feel like giving up.
But God still feeds. God still speaks. God still reveals. And God still sends help.
Don’t give up under the juniper tree. Keep walking, keep listening, and keep trusting.
Because sometimes, the greatest part of your ministry doesn’t come after the fire. It comes after the whisper.
