Midweek Devotional: Have You Felt Alone in a Crowd?

Have You Felt Alone in the Crowd

By Kim Larsen

Have you ever felt lonely even though you are surrounded by crowds of people? I get it! I recently finished a study about the prophet Elijah. I was examining the time in his life after the great victory over the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel (I Kings 19). He was experiencing a mountain top experience. Shortly thereafter, Jezebel threatened him that he would be found and killed within 24 hours. He dropped everything and ran for his life, and didn’t stop until he was way out in the wilderness a day’s journey. He was alone at this point, tired, depressed and feeling very deserted. Although he was the one that put himself in this position. There were 7,000 other believers who had not bowed their knees to Baal. He was not alone. After God sent an Angel to supply his physical need of food, he sent him on a long walk, which gave him time to think things through and come to terms with his dilemma. God asked him, “Elijah, what are you doing here? God knew the answer to his question. He was calling to Elijah’s heart.

God is so awesome to have given us this example so that we can see the outcome of Elijah’s struggle. God didn’t leave him alone. He ministered to him physically and spiritually by leading him to a place to teach him the lesson of listening to the still small voice of God. He understood Elijah’s feelings. Do you think that Jesus felt alone when he was surrounded by multitudes of people, hurling accusations and insults on every side? His own disciples misunderstood his mission and denied knowing him.

God sent Elijah and Moses to encourage Jesus to finish his mission on our behalf. We can read about it in Matthew 17:3 Who better to minister to Jesus then Elijah who understood what Jesus was going through. It was very important for Jesus to finish the work of the cross before him. Jesus understands how we feel. He encourages us. Romans 8:37 tells us, “Yet in all these things, we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life nor angels, nor principalities nor things present nor things to come nor height nor depth nor any other created thing shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Thank you Jesus! I needed that!