“I have been very zealous for the LORD God of Armies,” he replied, “but the Israelites have abandoned your covenant, torn down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they’re looking for me to take my life.”
1 KINGS 19:14 (CSB)

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This is Elijah’s answer to God’s gentle question (verses 12 and 13), “What are you doing here, Elijah?” This is a good question. Consider all that has happened in 1 Kings 17 and 18. How could Elijah experience God’s presence and activity with such dramatic displays of power and then run away to resign or die?

Sometimes we are so physically and emotionally spent that the only recovery that makes sense is resignation or death. Once upon a time, a certain preacher told his bride that he was going to quit his job and go to work at Walmart handing out shopping carts. Perhaps you can think back on a time in your life when you felt like that. 

It is interesting, isn’t it, that most of what we know about Elijah takes place after his resignation? There are many insights and applications from Elijah’s story. Let’s focus on one. His most important work was accomplished after he came to the end of himself. 

When Elijah did not think he could take one more step, God empowered him to take his best steps yet. 

The long-time pastor First Baptist Church of Euless, Texas, Jimmy Draper, wrote a book entitled, Don’t Quit Before You Finish. You do not have to read the book to get the message. 

If you feel like quitting today, go to God. Go by yourself. Go with a friend. Go with a congregation of worshipers. Please, go to God and do not give up until he calls you home. 

That preacher who wanted to push buggies at Walmart? The most significant work he has ever participated in has happened since that day.

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I will not quit before I finish.

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Our Father, when I come to the end of myself, I find you in all your goodness and glory. Therefore, I hereby resolve that I am at the end of myself. Here is where you begin to shape my story in a manner I would have never guessed. Here is where you maximize the dreams I have been afraid to speak out loud. I want to finish the same time you are finished with me in this generation. Amen.