'He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep.' 1 Kings 19: 4b-5
That was a prayer request made by Elijah. We were looking at prayers and answers in today's bible study at my local church and we looked at this verse. It's interesting to note that this is a prayer request that was not granted as asked, as we all know Elijah was caught up into glory and did not die.
But did God hear him? Yes He did and we have proof:
'All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” 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 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.” So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he travelled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. There he went into a cave and spent the night. 1 Kings 19:7-9
Who do we think sent the angel? It was God of course.
And Jesus our Lord said: "I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me." John 11:42
God hears all our heartfelt prayers, In Jeremiah 29:13, He says:
'You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart' (NIV)
'If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me' (NLT)
Therefore now let us always pray with this confidence, God hears us always, the answers may not come at the time we want it or in the way we want because God's aim is to give the best response, the best gift and at the best time.
Rather than letting Elijah die as requested, he sent him refreshment and strength. Dying was not the best answer for Elijah and God gave him a greater gift than dying, the man who asked to die, never did die but was eventually taken up to heaven in the most dramatic and beautiful way, after going on to fulfil his assignment in God. That's God! Always better than we could ever fathom, ask or think.
As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind 2 Kings 2:11
As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind 2 Kings 2:11
