12.14.2022 | OVERCOMING DISCOURAGEMENT
OVERCOMING DISCOURAGEMENT
1 Kings 19:1-2
And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, also how he had executed all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life as one of them by tomorrow about this time.”
1 Kings 19:3
And when he saw that, he arose and ran for his life, and went to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there.
1 Kings 19:4
But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said, “It is enough! Now, Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers.”
Elijah is so discouraged that he is ready to give up and die.
How do we overcome discouragement?
1. Be Aware of the Counterattacks of the Enemy
Elijah has won a great spiritual victory, but the powers of darkness threaten to strike back through Jezebel.
After Jesus was baptized with water and anointed with the Holy Spirit, He found Himself in the wilderness tempted by the enemy. (Matthew 4:1-11)
We want to warn new believers and those newly set free to be on guard against the attack of the enemy.
2 Thessalonians 3:3
But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.
2. Be Honest with God
The Holy Spirit intercepts a runaway Elijah and feeds him two more supernatural meals. (1 Kings 19:5-7)
1 Kings 19:8
So he arose and ate and drank; and he went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights as far as Horeb, the mountain of God.
1 Kings 19:9
And there he went into a cave, and spent the night in that place; and behold the word of the Lord came to him, and He said to him, “What are you doing here Elijah?”
1 Kings 19:10
So he said, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God of Hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken your covenant, torn down your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.”
Elijah pours out his heart to the Lord. He is honest with God.
David poured out his heart to the Lord.
We want to pour out our hearts to the Lord.
3. Be Open to Divine Revelation
Elijah is led to Mount Horeb which is another name for Mount Sinai. He is at the mountain of revelation and divine encounter.
1 Kings 19:11-12
Then He said, “Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.
In those times of discouragement, we need to hear the Voice of the Lord.
1 Kings 19:13
So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him, and said, “What are you doing here Elijah?”
Why does the Lord ask us questions?
Why does He ask us the same question?
4. Be Ready for New Assignments
1 Kings 19:15-16
Then the Lord said to him, “Go, return on your way to the Wilderness of Damascus; and when you arrive, anoint Hazael as king over Syria. Also you shall anoint Jehu the son Nimshi as king over Israel. And Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel Meholah you shall anoint as prophet in your place.”
Life and ministry are not over for Elijah.
The old season is over. The new season has come.
Pour everything you have learned into Elisha. That is the new assignment.
The calling of every believer is to find other people we can pour into everything we have learned about the Christian faith.
1 Thessalonians 2:8
So affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.
5. Be Certain You are Never Alone
The Lord always has a remnant!
1 Kings 19:18
Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.