The Search for Solitude

July 22, 2008

By William E. Richardson

“Elijah was a man with a nature like ours” (James 5:17, NKJV).

Take a look at 1 Kings 18 and 19 and you can read about a study in emotional contrasts.

In the first chapter Elijah defeated the prophets of Baal in a contest to turn Israel back to God. Fire came down from heaven and burned up Elijah’s sacrifice, much-needed rain then poured on the parched nation, and Elijah miraculously ran ahead of King Ahab’s chariot for perhaps the equivalent of a marathon.

But in 1 Kings 19 Elijah found himself physically and emotionally exhausted. Queen Jezebel’s death threat became the final nudge needed to push him into full-tilt fearful flight.

In our walk with God and interaction with others, we encounter the same highs and lows. According to the Bible, there’s a little bit of Elijah in every one of us.

Let’s take a closer look at Elijah’s search for solitude. It may help us better understand our own situations. I’ll use three comparisons.

1: We run to escape. Elijah fled in fear. Like Moses before him, he high-tailed it so he could miss a royal reprisal. We too sometimes flee to escape a situation or a someone we’d rather not face.

Elijah put a lot of distance between himself and the problem: 350 miles. That alone wouldn’t resolve the problem. His destination mattered. He didn’t just head for the hills; he headed for Mt. Sinai (1 Kings 19:8, Exodus 3:1).

Moses had experienced God’s presence there. Elijah could too. When we seek a hideaway with our feet, do we follow our heart? Do we run from whatever to run to God?

2: We rest to replenish. Elijah needed to rest. He’d spent his emotional reserves. Before he got to Mt. Sinai, he rested and ate (1 Kings 19:5). God sent an angel to help the prophet renew his physical strength.

The supernatural help also reminded Elijah that while he’d eluded Queen Jezebel, he was always on God’s radar. So are we.

3: We retreat to advance. Elijah improved at Mt. Sinai. God asked him why he’d come there (1 Kings 19:9). God let His servant express his self-pity (verses 10,14). Then, He corrected Elijah’s thinking, giving him the hope he needed (verses 15-18). Elijah had heard from God.

The first half of James 5:17 says Elijah had a nature like us. The second half says, “he prayed” and God heard him. Conclusion: God’s ready to hear our prayers.

We all need times away from others to get alone with God. When we run from life’s pressures we should run right to Him. When we seek our rest in Him, He’ll replenish our strength. When we’ve retreated from all else to be with God, we’ll return to our fellow humans, advancing in God’s service.

William E. Richardson is senior pastor of Afton (Iowa) Assembly of God.