Family Talk Night Light for Parents

The Journey Is Too Much

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

Elijah had just achieved a great triumph on Mount Carmel. Now he was thoroughly drained in body and soul. The devil, who delights in attacking us when we are vulnerable, took full advantage of the situation through Jezebel’s threat to kill Elijah. Exhausted and discouraged, Elijah sat down and prayed for it all to end. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life” (1 Kings 19:4).

God heard Elijah’s prayer and sent His tender answer through an angel: “The journey is too much for you” (v. 7). After sleeping, Elijah found that a meal had been prepared for him. He ate and drank and received new hope and strength to continue.

When your energy is totally depleted because of extra commitments, when you’ve been sick and have nothing left to give, when obstacles seem to thwart your every move—these are the moments when Satan will gather his forces for a fresh assault on your spirit. But if you respond by turning to the Lord in prayer, He will show you a way out of hopelessness and discouragement (see Ephesians 6:10–11). When we send our burdens to heaven and rest in His Spirit, we can always count on Him to lighten the load.

Before you say good night…

Are you discouraged with life because you’re simply too tired?

Do you, and your kids, turn to the Lord in all moments of distress?

When has God responded to you as He did to Elijah?

We praise Your powerful name, Lord! You are the One who makes a way where there is no way. Forgive us for limiting Your power and Your love—which have no limits at all. We offer you our lives afresh this night. Amen.

• From Night Light For Parents, by Dr. James & Shirley Dobson
  Copyright © 2000 by James Dobson, Inc. All rights reserved.