Introduction

Good morning, Church family. Today, we're going to be exploring 1 Kings 19:1-21, a passage that dives deeply into the life of God's prophet Elijah. It's a story that paints a picture of discouragement, fear, and most importantly, the comfort that our Heavenly Father provides in times of trouble. As we navigate through these uncertain times, this passage is sure to resonate with each one of us.

Before we delve into the scripture, let's remember these wise words from Charles Spurgeon: "By perseverance the snail reached the ark." This simple yet profound statement reminds us that no matter how slow or challenging our journey might be, as long as we continue to persevere in faith, we will reach our 'ark' - our place of safety and comfort - in God.

Now, let's read the passage together, 1 Kings 19:1-21.

Let us pray.

Dear God, open our hearts and minds to understand Your word today. Help us to grasp the lessons that Elijah's life has to offer and to apply them in our daily lives. May we find comfort in You amidst our troubles, and may we be courageous enough to face our fears, knowing that You are always with us. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.

Let’s dive in!

The Power of Discouragement

Discouragement is a powerful emotion that can easily grip our hearts and minds, especially in times of difficulty. It's a feeling that can make us question our abilities, our faith, and even our worth.

The story of Elijah: We see a man of God, a prophet who had just experienced a great victory over the prophets of Baal, yet he was not immune to the power of discouragement. After receiving a death threat from Queen Jezebel, Elijah was filled with fear and ran for his life. Despite his recent triumph, he allowed discouragement to overtake him, leading him to a place of despair and hopelessness.

Can make us forget our past victories and blessings: Elijah had just witnessed God's power and faithfulness in a miraculous way on Mount Carmel, but the threat of Jezebel made him forget all of that. He was so discouraged that he even asked God to take his life. This shows us that discouragement can cloud our vision, making us lose sight of God's goodness and faithfulness in our lives.

Can also make us feel isolated and alone: Elijah felt that he was the only one left who was faithful to God. He felt alone in his struggle, believing that no one else understood or cared about his plight. This is another powerful aspect of discouragement - it can make us feel like we're fighting our battles alone, even when that's far from the truth.

Can lead us to make decisions based on fear and not faith: Elijah, out of fear and discouragement, ran away and hid in a cave. Instead of standing firm in faith, he allowed his fear to dictate his actions. This is a common response when we're discouraged - we often make decisions that are not in line with God's will or our calling.

Not a sin: It’s simply a human emotion that we all experience. What matters is how we respond to it. Do we let it drive us away from God, or do we use it as an opportunity to draw closer to Him? God wants us to turn to Him in our discouragement, just like He wanted Elijah to turn to Him. He wants to comfort us, strengthen us, and remind us of His love and faithfulness.

God did not abandon him: He provided for his physical needs, sending an angel to feed him, and He spoke to him in a gentle whisper, reminding him of His presence and His plans. God showed Elijah that he was not alone, that there were still seven thousand in Israel who had not bowed to Baal. God reassured Elijah of his calling and gave him new instructions, showing him that his work was not yet done.

A reminder for us when we face discouragement: We may feel alone, forgotten, and overwhelmed, but God is with us. He cares for us, and He has a plan for us. He wants to use our discouragement not to break us, but to build us and draw us closer to Him.

The Reality of Fear

Fear is a universal human experience, and it's a theme that we see repeatedly in the Bible ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO