Behold, an Angel Touched Him.
God's gentle treatment and understanding provide comfort and guidance in times of struggle and depression.
F.B. Meyer reflects on the comforting presence of angels in times of despair, using the story of Elijah to illustrate how God gently restores those who feel alone and defeated. He emphasizes that, rather than rebuke, God offers loving support, recognizing the inner strength and devotion within us even during our lowest moments. Meyer encourages believers to acknowledge the ministry of angels, who provide sustenance and hope when we are weary, reminding us that God's care is always present, especially in our struggles. The sermon concludes with the promise that, like Elijah, we will awaken to the blessings prepared for us by God, both in this life and beyond.
Text
Behold, an angel touched him. 1 Kings xix. 5.
IN all probability the angels often touch us when danger is near, threatening our health and life, or when foul fiends step up to us with hideous temptation. They find us out, especially when, like Elijah, we are alone and depressed; when nervous depression has crept about our hearts; when we seem to have failed in the conflict against evil, and long for death to end our long and weary strife. It was the lament of a holy soul on the verge of eternity, that he had made so little of the ministry of God's holy and tender angels.
It was very gracious for God to deal thus with his servant. We might have expected rebuke or remonstrance, chiding or chastisement; but we would hardly have expected such loving, gentle treatment as this. Is this the man who defied Ahab and all his priests? He is as frail and impotent as any! Nay, but God looked beneath the surface depression, and detected the strong fountains of courage and devotion that lay beneath, only capable of being called again into intense manifestation. He knew his servant's frame, and recognised that he was dust. He knew how to distinguish between the passing overstrain of the body and the heroic temper of the spirit. So, he understands us in our fits of depression and despair.
Whenever these angel‑fingers touch you, whether directly or through the medium of loving mortal hands, you will always find the cake and the cruse of water. God never awakens to disappoint. It is an infinite pleasure to Him to awaken his loved ones to good things, which they had neither asked nor thought. Will not dying be something like this? The angel of life will touch us, and we shall awake to see what love has prepared.
Sermon Outline
- Elijah's Depression
- God's Gentle Treatment
- God's Understanding
- The Angel's Touch
- Always finds the cake and the cruse of water
- God never awakens to disappoint
- Detected the strong fountains of courage and devotion
Key Quotes
“Whenever these angel-fingers touch you, whether directly or through the medium of loving mortal hands, you will always find the cake and the cruse of water.” — F.B. Meyer
“It is an infinite pleasure to Him to awaken his loved ones to good things, which they had neither asked nor thought.” — F.B. Meyer
“Will not dying be something like this? The angel of life will touch us, and we shall awake to see what love has prepared.” — F.B. Meyer
Application Points
- When we feel overwhelmed by depression or despair, we can trust that God's gentle touch will provide comfort and guidance.
- God looks beyond our surface-level struggles and sees our inner strength and devotion, treating us with love and compassion.
- We can trust that God will awaken us to good things, even in the midst of difficult circumstances.