Encouragement for Today

June 9, 2025 Comfort in the Wilderness KRISTEL ACEVEDO Lee en español

“The angel told him, ‘Get up and eat.’” 1 Kings 19:5c (CSB)

Sitting on my bed with tears streaking down my face, I remember feeling tired, emotionally and spiritually spent. My husband sat in front of me, looking concerned.

“I think I’m depressed,” I said.

For so long, I had been holding those words — carrying the weight of them. I couldn’t help but feel like a failure. This wasn’t my first bout with depression. I had struggled postpartum. Feelings of anxiety and sadness weren’t new to me, but I thought I had overcome them.

Although saying those words brought relief, I also felt overwhelmed with the feeling that I would have to do something about it. I would have to work hard to be happy and rested again.

The prophet Elijah knew about fatigue and despair. In one of the most unbelievable experiences in Scripture, he faced off against 450 of Baal’s prophets at Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18). Fire fell from heaven, and the people watching fell face down, realizing that the God of Elijah was the one true God. This was a great spiritual victory! But soon after, Elijah ran for his life because the murderous King Ahab and Queen Jezebel were out to get him.

In our key verse, Elijah was on the run and exhausted, alone in the wilderness. Thankfully, God brought comfort:

“Suddenly, an angel touched him. The angel told him, ‘Get up and eat.’ Then he looked, and there at his head was a loaf of bread baked over hot stones, and a jug of water. So he ate and drank and lay down again” (1 Kings 19:5b-6, CSB).

The voice in my head as I read this is that of a loving parent nursing a child back to health. And all Elijah had to do in response was willingly receive nourishment and rest. He didn’t have to muster up his energy to keep going. He didn’t have to prove that he was still faithful. He simply had to receive and rest.

Sometimes the holiest thing you can do is eat a snack and take a nap.

One of the ways my Abuelita Carmen says “I love you” is by serving up a hot plate of gallo pinto (Nicaraguan red beans and rice) and tortillas. There is nothing fancy about this meal, but it’s delicious and nourishing. I lived with Abuelita from the time I was a child until I got married. Through the years and all the ups and downs, gallo pinto was always on the stove, a comforting reminder of her love.

I imagine that when Elijah saw the warm bread and refreshing water God provided for him, it made him feel loved as well.

Reading the story of Elijah and God’s comfort in the wilderness helps us to see that God calls us to rest too. He wants to be our comfort, bringing nourishment and respite when we need it most.

Heavenly Father, You are the God who brings comfort, rest, nourishment, and grace in the midst of our wilderness seasons. Help us to receive Your love, especially in moments of despair and exhaustion. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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For more on how God meets us in the wilderness seasons of our lives, grab a copy of Kristel Acevedo’s Bible study, A Way in the Wilderness: Meeting God in the Desolate Places of Scripture.

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Kristel is a wife, mom, ministry leader at her local church, and author. She loves connecting with other women on Instagram, where she shares encouragement, Scripture, and pictures of her cute dog.

Enter to WIN your very own copy of A Way in the Wilderness by Kristel Acevedo. To celebrate this book, Kristel’s publisher will give away 5 copies! Enter to win by filling out the form here. {We’ll randomly select 5 winners and notify them via email by Monday, June 16, 2025.}

FOR DEEPER STUDY

Matthew 11:28-30, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (CSB).

Psalm 46:1, “God is our refuge and strength, a helper who is always found in times of trouble” (CSB).

How will you respond to Jesus’ invitation to give you rest? Who around you can you comfort with this message of rest? Share with us in the comments!

© 2025 by Kristel Acevedo. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 31 Ministries thanks InterVarsity Press, Bible Study Experience for their sponsorship of today’s devotion.

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