I've Had Enough

How many times have you found yourself saying, “I’ve had

enough Lord?” I have said that many times because I felt like I just

couldn’t take one more thing, and then it seemed like more just kept

coming.

Elijah in the Bible also said “enough” to the Lord. In I Kings

19:1-8 we read the story of him coming to the end of his rope.

Jezebel had sent word to Elijah that she was going to kill him because

she was angry that he had killed 450 prophets of Baal. Elijah, after

hearing that, took off running for his life and went to the wilderness.

He sat down under a tree and said, “It is enough; now O Lord, take

my life, for I am not better than my fathers.” Now, here is a strong

man who loved the Lord and had given up. Elijah had just proven

that his God was the one true God through the fire of the wet altar,

had the prophets killed, then went and prayed for rain and God sent

the rain to a place that was in dire need of rain. This man had an

incredible day with the Lord, now here he is, scared and saying

“enough.”

Elijah decided at this point he just wanted to die and wanted

Gods help. He decided to go to sleep (most likely hoping he wouldn’t

wake up) and God came to his rescue with an angel. An angel who

appears to Elijah saying, “Arise and eat.” Elijah looks and sees a

bread cake baked on hot stones and a jug of water. He decided to eat

it and then proceeded to lay back down. The angel came again and

said, “Arise, eat because the journey is too great for you.” So, Elijah

got up ate and drank and that meal strengthened him for forty days

and forty nights as he went to Horeb, the mountain of God.

Many times, we can feel like we’ve had enough, and we’re done.

We’re just too tired and perhaps scared. God though says to us

constantly, “Rise up.” He tells us in John 14:6, “I am the way, the

truth, and the life.” Isaiah 40:29-31 tells us, “He gives strength to the

weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired

and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in

the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like

eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be

faint.” Isaiah 41:10 says, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not

be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I

will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Elijah knew the power of God as he had just experienced the

hand of God on his life. He though got scared, ran and gave up. He

didn’t even ask the Lord for help – just for help to die. Perhaps we

would have done the same thing. Perhaps we already have. This story

teaches us many things:

1. God never gives up on us.

2. He listens to us whine and complain.

3. He’s always right on time with His provision and it’s always

abundant.

4. God is always on time – at times not early but never late.

5. God will always give us the strength we need to handle the tough

times.

God tells us we are going to face trials in this world, but that He

is our strength. He is our provider because of His love for us. When

trials and hard, confusing times arise in our life we need to look up to

God. We can’t allow ourselves to give up or to focus too much on

our circumstances. We need to constantly be seeking Him and watch

how He delivers us, and at the same time strengthens us. We need to

remember that nothing is too difficult for the Lord. To remember the

ways He has always provided and showed up for us in the past, and

know that He will again be there for us – forever and ever.

What About You?

1. What challenges are you facing?

2. Which promises of God keep you going and trusting?

From God's Garden Tools by Gina Burns