OUR JOURNEY IN VIEW OF GOING UP
G.D.Pfingst
One has thought of this word from Jehovah. God uses these occasions to speak to us. His word to Elijah was "the journey is too great for thee" - that was part of the message. At the present time we find ourselves beset with many things. Elijah had known better days in which he had proven God's help; he had been supported in his service. But now things were becoming very threatening, things were not favourable; the people were generally deteriorating and Jezebel was seeking his life, so Elijah had become discouraged and wanted to give up. We too have known better times in the sense that we were greater numerically. We have known strong leadership and support, and have felt the Lord's help in a distinct way, but now things are testing. Elijah thought that the only way was to die.
In the hymn (180) we sang that we might overcome in His name, and be faithful in this scene where the Lord has been. The way out is not the way of death. That was not in God's mind for Elijah though he had requested it for himself. We have been told that at this point Elijah resigned his commission and God accepted his resignation. We do not want to resign, even though we are weak and may have very little gift; we want to press forward. So at this juncture the angel came and touched Elijah as he slept and said "Arise, eat!"; and he saw a cake, baked on hot stones, and a cruse of water. So he ate and drank, and lay down again. But there was a second touch, and at this juncture we may need a second touch. We have been much encouraged and strengthened by being delivered from bondage, but it may be that we need a second touch.
At this point Elijah got two breakfasts, which is very good fare, and in the strength of that food he journeyed forty days and forty nights, to Horeb the mount of God. It was a long journey, but God knew about that for He said "the journey is too great for thee". In our own strength we cannot go through; it is the strength which comes from above - meeting with "the help which is from God", Acts 26: 22. That is what Paul experienced. So, even though we find the journey testing, possibly finding it too great for us, the Lord knew that before we did; it is too great for us unless we get the food and drink that God provides. The Lord is putting us through a testing period but He has measured it and knows how testing it is. With Elijah it was forty days - a full testing period - but in the strength of the food which God supplied he reached Horeb the mount of God. And so shall we!
I thought that we might be encouraged to take this journey to Horeb. Moses had been there previously. Now Elijah is there. Both later appear on the mount of transfiguration with Jesus. What a wonderful distinction! What recompense for having completed the journey to Horeb! In that area Moses shone, particularly when he interceded for the people. But Elijah is still taken up with his service, all that he had done, and that he alone was left. What an example Moses is for us! Instead of being overwhelmed by the failure of the people he interceded for them; they were God's people. But with Elijah God had in mind to fit him for ascension. I think Scripture supports that for that is what Elijah was to experience. Even though he had become dejected and despondent, God had in mind to take him up. And that is the glorious hope that we have. But the forty days and forty nights preceded Elijah's ascension. Then also Elijah had to visit certain areas and to cross the Jordan - apparently all needed experience - but it was in view of his going up. Although he had requested for himself that he may die he was being prepared for ascension. What wonderful thoughts God has for His people! They too will be taken up. The Lord is coming to take us to be with Himself "with an assembling shout, with archangel's voice and with trump of God", 1 Thess 4: 16. So we should be ready for the second touch, and the food and drink, in view of being sustained in completing the journey which still lies ahead. It says of Rachel that she died when there was still a little way to Ephrath. There may still be a little way for us to go before we are taken up; and that little way is the test for us, whether we can get to Horeb, the mount of God, ready for translation.
It came to me that we might well get acquainted with these circumstances in view of the imminence of our going up. That is the way out for us. May the Lord encourage us for His Name's sake.
BROOKLYN, N.Y.
14 September 1976