Elijah’s Fast - 1 Kings 19:3–8; John 6:27–55; 2 Timothy 2:1–7

 

Sermon - Elijah’s Fast
1 Kings 19:3–8; John 6:27–55; 2 Timothy 2:1–7

O God-loving saints who are zealous about fasting! May the divine fellowship found in fasting be richly granted to you! Amen.

In the Old Testament, both Moses and Elijah fasted for 40 days. Moses fasted to receive and deliver the Law, while Elijah fasted to establish the people in that Law. Therefore, let us now meditate on Elijah’s fast.

The Israelites, who were wavering between two opinions, were gathered by Elijah at Mount Carmel. He offered a sacrifice to God, and the fire of God descended from above and consumed the offering, confirming to the Israelites that Baal was not God, but that the LORD alone is the true God. As a result, Elijah executed all the prophets of Baal near the brook Kishon, who had misled Israel.

Because Elijah had killed her prophets, Queen Jezebel sought to kill Elijah as well. So, Elijah fled to the land of Judah and reached the city of Beersheba, where he left his servant behind and journeyed alone a day’s distance into the wilderness. There, he sat under a tree and prayed that his life might be taken, then fell asleep from exhaustion.

At that moment, an angel came and touched Elijah, saying, “Arise and eat.” When Elijah woke up, he saw food and water beside his head. He ate and lay down again. The angel returned a second time, touched him, and said, “Arise and eat, because the journey ahead is too great for you.” Strengthened by that food, Elijah traveled forty days and forty nights to Mount Horeb, where he set up a dwelling in a cave.

By the food provided by the angel, Elijah was able to walk for forty days and nights through the wilderness—just as the Israelites had wandered for forty years in the past. In the Bible, is there anyone else who, with just one meal, walked for forty days and nights? The Lord Jesus was in the wilderness for forty days during His fast. Moses did not travel during his fast, but Elijah did.

An angel touched Elijah, he heard the voice, and he was ministered to. How blessed is that! First, it was ravens that ministered to him. What is impossible for God? God used ravens to bring food and nourish His servant. This is recorded in Scripture and the testimony of the Church. Later, the angel of the Lord ministered to him, preparing bread baked over hot coals. Elijah ate this angel-prepared meal twice. The only food mentioned there is bread.

What did Elijah do at Beersheba? He left his servant behind. Likewise, Abraham climbed the mountain leaving his servants below. Elijah left his servant and went under the broom tree to pray. Similarly, the Lord Jesus left nine of His disciples at the foot of the mountain and went up alone. He did not want them to witness His suffering, so He left them behind.

As the Lord taught, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” Here, Elijah was strengthened not merely by bread, but by the word of God. Therefore, there must be a calling in the word of God. Since God called Elijah to a special task, special strength was required. That is why God acted in this way. Even now, God can still do the same.

If God calls me to a special task, I too may be sustained even without ordinary food.

Daniel 1, 1 Kings 19, Matthew 6, Mark 2 & 9, 2 Corinthians 11–12

One of the greatest miracles God performed in Babylon was this: Four young men said, “Simple food is enough for us.” Yet their faces shone brightly. By ordinary food, they received strength, vitality, health, and radiance. It all happened by God’s blessing. Similarly, Elijah gained more-than-natural strength through ordinary food. He received supernatural strength — which came from God. It is written that strength came through blessed food. Those with Daniel also gained strength. So can we.

If there is a special task, and a special arrangement from God, then He will give special strength too. Which is harder: staying in one place for 40 days or journeying 40 days? Elijah’s fast was a great miracle. The Lord instructed us to fast and pray in secret — without looking weak or worn out. If one can appear as normal, they can fast.

If there is a special calling, God gives special strength — so fast! Without it, fasting can lead to weakness or even death. While the Bible doesn’t command everyone to fast 40 days, some groups have discouraged fasting prayers. But Jesus said in Mark 9:29, “This kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” He also said, “Anoint your head and wash your face when you fast” (Matthew 6:16). When asked why His disciples didn’t fast, Jesus said, “They will fast after I am taken away” (Mark 2:18–20). These verses confirm that we too can fast.

Paul the Apostle said fasting benefits the spirit (2 Corinthians 11:27; 12:10). Though the New Covenant encourages voluntary fasting, some denominations discourage long prayers. Yet Jesus only rebuked the hypocritical long prayers of the Pharisees. If we have many prayer points, why not pray long? When you approach an official with many requests, you don’t speak only one sentence — likewise in prayer.

Jesus condemned prayer for show, not prayer for substance. If we have many burdens, we must pray extensively. Among Moses, Elijah, and Jonah — whose fast was greatest? Elijah’s.

Abraham journeyed three days to offer his son as a sacrifice. Did he question God — “How can I offer my son when You promised descendants like the stars?” No. During those three days, Abraham underwent deep inner testing:

1.      Should I offer my only son as a sacrifice?

2.     Didn’t God promise me descendants through him?

3.     Isaac is only ten years old — must I kill him with my own hands?

God gave Abraham a three-day window for that trial. Likewise, our whole lifetime is a “grace period” from God — say 100 years — within which we face:

1.      Temptations of sin,

2.     Trials of sickness,

3.     Tests through blame,

4.     Hardships,

5.     Trials of unbelief.
Satan is given a limited time to tempt us — but God gives us time to overcome.

Elijah was given 40 days. Did Elijah ever question, “How can I walk this journey on just one day’s food and two gulps of water?” No. Just as Abraham did not question, Elijah too did not doubt.

Elijah remembered: “Our ancestors walked in the wilderness 40 years. They ate manna. They drank water from the rock. Their feet didn’t swell. Their sandals didn’t wear out. Their clothes didn’t fade.” He believed God could do the same for him. That one-day meal satisfied Elijah for 40 days and nights. Likewise, Christ fed 5,000 with 5 loaves. If we tried, even one grain wouldn’t be enough for each person!

One day is like a year. Israel’s 40 years in the wilderness symbolized Elijah’s 40-day journey. Elijah rejoiced saying, “If my forefathers walked 40 years, I get to walk 40 days.” Even Sadhu Sundar Singh couldn’t fast for 40 days, yet he experienced great spiritual benefit.

On the mountain, Moses stayed 40 days with God, without any thought of worldly things. We can’t stay even half an hour. Was Elijah in the presence of God? Yes. Though invisible, he remained before God — and that’s the hardest kind of fast.

From the broom tree to Mount Horeb, God’s presence traveled with Elijah. Just as Israel had promises, Elijah too held onto them. He didn’t fear wild beasts or wilderness dangers. Though Elijah had a nature like ours (James 5:17), he laid that nature aside and obeyed. He once said, “Am I greater than my fathers?” Likewise, Peter doubted and began to sink, but Jesus immediately lifted him. That happened once — Elijah didn’t waver like that.

Only when we lay aside our natural tendencies can fire fall from heaven and rain pour down. If there’s a special calling and task, only then will God give special strength.

Elijah didn’t argue with God. Just as the three Hebrew boys went into the fire, Moses entered God’s presence, and Peter walked on water, so Elijah walked in faith — without question. That’s the mark of God's people: unquestioning faith.

By God’s blessing come strength, power, and all sufficiency. So we pray. If our spiritual devotion (prayer, Bible reading) fits our personal faith life, that’s good. But for ministry, we need more strength. So for greater works, God gives greater power.

Elijah did not ask for a journey beyond his strength, yet God gave it. Likewise, we must only go where God sends. Otherwise, we will face many troubles. Elijah had to move from the place of prayer to the place of God’s presence — only then could he be sent to do His work.

That’s why God led him this way. Going from Mount Carmel to Mount Horeb was a spiritual promotion. Ravens flew to Elijah — but Elijah flew to God’s presence.

May God bless these words. Amen.

Sermon by Father.M. Devadasu Ayyagaru, on February 3, 1946