“Jesus said, “My food is to do what the one who sent me wants me to do. My food is to finish the work that he gave me to do.”
John 4:34 ERV
A few weeks back, I met a woman at an event who mentioned she only eats one meal a day. She shared how long she had been practicing this lifestyle also mentioned several benefits she has experienced, such as incredible focus; especially working in a high paced industry, and consistently high energy levels. When it was time to eat, she showed me what would be on her plate, saying, “What needs to be there, will be there. What is necessary!” She packed her plate, and after eating, she said, “That’s it until tomorrow.”
How can just one meal sustain a person until their next one? She still had a couple of things she was going to be busy with that day, yet she was incredibly confident that she would have the energy to do each one of them.
Then, it got me thinking about the story of the Prophet Elijah in 1 Kings.
Remember when he defeated the prophets of Baal? King Ahab told Jezebel, she wanted to kill Elijah for that. Elijah had single handedly embarrassed the gods of Baal, yet fear drove him into hiding. Imagine that; after such a victory, this man of God was terrified. He was only human, right?
While in hiding, even while declaring death over himself, Heaven found him and ministered to him. Maybe he thought he was done, or perhaps exhaustion got the best of him. But just because he was tired didn’t mean God was done with him. He fell asleep, and an angel woke him, saying, “Get up and eat.”
Imagine going through a crisis, and the first word you hear from Heaven is, “Eat.” Elijah got up and found a table set before him, but only what was necessary was there. This makes perfect sense, because after he was done eating, the angel woke him up again and said: “…Get up and eat some more—you’ve got a long journey ahead of you.” (1 Kings 19:7 MSG).
Some translations describe this journey as great, which is why Elijah had to eat. Whatever the angel provided was exactly enough to sustain him for the long road ahead. So, once again, he woke up and continued eating.
I love how God, in His majesty, prevented Elijah from removing himself from His divine will. Elijah believed his life was useless at that point, but God gave him sleep instead; perhaps so that his words of despair wouldn’t become a barrier to what God intended to do. If he were truly consumed by fear, I don’t think he would have fallen asleep so easily; God must have granted him that rest.
God needed him to act according to His plan, so He provided the specific nourishment required for the task. Ask yourself: Is what you are feeding on daily fueling your faith or your fear?
Elijah’s journey lasted forty days and forty nights. Is what you are consuming now enough to sustain you in the next season of your life? Are you disciplined enough to hear when God tells you to eat? David said, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies,” which means the table is already set. There is food ready for you to eat to gain strength, receive wisdom, or be encouraged.
Elijah simply had to wake up and look around to see the food. What is the Lord telling you to do so that you can be filled? In Matthew 11:28 Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest”. In this verse, the only requirement is to come and present yourself to Him. He will give you so much more if you simply do what He asks.
In Elijah’s instance, sleep represented a moment of stillness; stillness toward what was visible before him, and stillness from his own thoughts and the threats of others. To eat and be filled, he had to be in a state of solitude: just him and God. While he felt challenged and discouraged, this specific food did more than just fill his stomach; it revived his hope and allowed him to hear clearly again. Elijah wanted to resign from his calling, but God does not want to see His children abandoned where He has placed them, so He set a plan in motion.
There is a plan in motion for you at this very moment. Please do not give up or give in, no matter how things look. I remember a time when I had applied for a specific opportunity I was incredibly excited about. While standing in the queue, people around me kept highlighting that if you didn’t have certain things, you should just forget about it. I stayed and waited for my turn.
When I finally entered the dean’s office, he asked if I had the required paperwork. Some pieces were missing, and I wouldn’t be able to get them until weeks after the closing date. He told me he would give me just one day to get them. I left his office feeling devastated. I remember sitting in the back of the car while my dad drove, and as soon as I got home, I just slept.
I wanted to ask God so many questions; “Why me?” being the main one. But again, He gave me sleep instead. That same evening, I received an email with the exact paperwork I needed. Being quiet actually quickened what was happening in the background. I wanted to complain and cry, but He responded with sleep. Thank God for loving us enough to keep us quiet so that His will can manifest in our lives.
Eat when He says “eat” because a great purpose lies before you, one that affects you, the next generation, and many others. Just as the lady I met chose food that would sustain her, God knows exactly what your journey looks like. He will give you the right food for every season so that when you respond to life’s challenges, you say the right things. In this journey, our words matter; choose to speak God’s Word instead. As Hebrews 4:12 reminds us, His Word is living, active, and has the power to create. When you speak it, you are speaking life.
There is a better, more fulfilling bread available to you now; the Word of God. Matthew 4:4 reminds us that we do not live by physical bread alone, but by every word from His mouth. Consume it until it overtakes your thoughts and transforms your way of living. Wake up and eat! If you have been sleeping for too long, relaxing, living carelessly, or speaking without purpose; this is your reminder that there is food you may have abandoned.
Return to the feast with the Master; He has so much to tell you. When Jesus broke bread with the two men on the road to Emmaus, their eyes were opened. There is profound power in eating His food! He wants to arrange your plate so you don’t become discouraged, hopeless, or worn out along the way. Even when days feel dark, the word of God will be a lamp unto your feet. So, again: get up and eat! Do it with urgency and consistency. After his meal, Elijah’s journey continued, leading him to appoint the men who would advance the kingdom.
The journey is long and the purpose is great; so get up and eat!
There are seasons and circumstances that can only be won if you are filled with the food of the Spirit. Imagine if Jesus had been more concerned with feeding His flesh. What would have become of the healings, the prophecies, the crowd ministry, and the critical opportunities to appoint His servants? There is a purpose and a prophecy hanging over your life: wake up and eat. This food will give you both a sharp eye and a disciplined tongue. A tongue that will only echo what God has said, rather than what the situation looks like.
I pray that you come into a place of feasting with Jesus. No matter what is happening around you, may you remember to seek understanding for this season of your life in Him. Sit down with Him and discuss the matters of your heart, your life, your family, your career, and your health. He genuinely cares about it all.
Let’s pray
Father, in the name of Jesus, thank You for reminding us of Your Word; the Word that is alive, active, and sharper than any two-edged sword. I join my faith with those reading this today. I declare that as we consume Your Word, we hear You clearly. I pray for those who feel worn out and exhausted, may they be empowered by the Holy Spirit to remain on course and do what they are required to do. We pray for courage and strength to finish well.
And as we eat, we declare Lord that we will speak the right things; words that build, restore, and create, because we know Your Word holds that power. Thank You for the Holy Spirit, who guides us into all truth as we search the Scriptures. In Jesus’ name, Amen!