“3 Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, 4 while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. 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.” 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. 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”
Elijah lived in an era where most people did not follow God but were against him. Nations were prosperous, and people did not seek help from God. Instead, kings worshiped Baal, the false god of prosperity. However, such circumstances did not defeat Elijah. He lifted God’s name on high and glorified him. He rebuilt the alter that had been torn down, and he defeated the 850 false prophets of Baal ad Asherah. However even with all those remarkable interactions with God, Elijah was disheartened because the gloomy circumstances had not changed, and he had to suffer from the repeated episodes of threats. He finally lost hope and ran. He ran to the wilderness and sought refuge under a broom tree and poured out his heart to God, asking tobtake his life. Then God sent an Angel to Elijah. The angel woke him up, gave him food and water. Then the angel came again. He told Elijah to eat more. “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you. “. Elijah ate and drank again. Now that his body is strengthened and restored, he then started the journey God had set forth for him.
House Church Pastor Conference is like a gathering of fellow soldiers who are in the pursuit of same goal. It is the place of gathering for God’s soldiers who have battled fearlessly for the kingdom of God. Each time they share testimony of victory, they give glory and gratitude to God. These stories challenge us and give us the direction for our path forward. However, not all the testimonies are cheerful. We hear the heartbreaking testimonies of those soldiers who are struggling as well. They are wounded and tired fighting the fierce battle. They need a place to take a break.
How wonderful and thankful would it be if we can serve their weary souls like the angels who comforted Elijah in the wilderness. How grateful would it be if their exhausted souls can rise up again by our warm smiles, the look of trust and love, acknowledgment of their hard work, meals from the heart, cups of warm tea, and shoulders to lean on! That is my prayer request for this House Church Pastor Conference, hosting them with the heart of God and serving them with comforting meals and peaceful rest.
And you are right. Food is not the main objective. It is not like they cannot afford food, nor we are serving the expensive dishes. What matters is our heart! Even if we serve a piece of bread and a glass of water, if we serve with it the heart of God, then their heart will be content. We all know by now that this is only possible via prayer. God will replenish their souls with new spirit through our serving. I pray that they will walk fearlessly the path God has prepared for them, and our service will become bread and water in their journey.
This week, please pray for the House Church Pastor Conference with this message.
Pastor Choi