(3) And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there. (4) 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; for I am not better than my fathers.
Is this Elijah, who but the day before confronted all the host of Baal's worshippers? What, to flee because of the threats of a poor woman? And moreover, at a time like this, when after such a miracle he had reason from his own prayer to hope, that the Lord world turn the heart of the people back again! But Reader! let you and I learn from it, that great faith and unbelief are near neighbours in the same heart. Some of the Lord's highest servants have given striking testimonies of both. Abraham could, and did, at the Lord's command, offer up his son. But Abraham could not trust to God for the safety of his wife. Genesis 22:1 with Genesis 20:1-2. Peter could, and did, at the command of Jesus, venture to walk to him upon the water. But the same great apostle, at the instance of a poor servant-maid, denied Christ. Matthew 26:72; Matthew 26:72, etc. And what are the precious lessons the Holy Ghost teacheth us from such views of the faithful, but these; that faith is God's gift, not man's own creating: that as Paul saith, we can do nothing of ourselves; but can do all things through Christ strengthening us. And therefore we can never trust ourselves too little, nor Jesus too much.