I. Introduction
In a 2016 research project a study of how long New Year's Resolutions actually last. Here are the results:
Only 64 percent last longer than the first month and only 46 percent last longer than six months.
Even more discouraging is the statistic that only 14 percent of people over 50 actually achieve their resolution compared to 39 percent of people in their 20’s. So does that mean you can't teach a dog new tricks or that we are just supremely comfortable in our routines?
So, it is apparent that quitting is a part of life. In fact, I have said that learning what to quit and what not to quit is the real key to learning how to win.
Scripture is full of lessons on what we should quit and what we should not quit! Let's continue to learn the lessons today!
1 Kings 19:1-13; 18 (NIV)
Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, “May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.” Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep. All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again.
The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. There he went into a cave and spent the night. And the word of the Lord came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.
18 Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.”
Now I have a problem because there are about 6 lessons I could teach out of these passages. I am just going to mention 3 and then move on to 3 I really feel like we need to drill down on.
Quit isolating yourself when God is trying to push you into necessary relationships. Loners have no one to lean on so they quit. Your ability to continue to fight, to win, to persevere is wrapped up in your relationships. Some of you have set goals to get more connected but if you aren't careful life and your enemy will make sure you are too busy to follow through.
Quit running away from a fight you have been called to win. Some of us are trying to pray our way out of situations we have been called to conqueror.
Quit relaxing after a victory. Usually the biggest battle takes place immediately after winning a great victory. We are most vulnerable after a win! Don't let down! If you are winning, then keep watch!
So here are the things I felt like God wanted us to focus on this morning.
a. Quit mistaking a season for a sentence!
Notice that Elijah gets word that Jezebel is making threats and because he is faced with an immediate threat he mistakes a season for a life sentence. This is it. It is over. I am done. It was supposed to be a momentary attack and he turns it into a monument to his death.
How many of us are so consumed with what we are facing in this moment that we forget this too shall pass? We think a season is a sentence and so we give up any hope for future. We give up any hope for healing. We won't take any steps of faith because the immediate issue has consumed us!
Remember seasons change! Don't quit now. Don't give up now. Don't surrender now. This may be a tough and threatening season, it may be a loud season, it may even be a painful season but it is a season! The only way a season becomes a sentence is if you quit! Seasons change unless we allow ourselves to get stuck in them!
God can't talk to us about next if we are convinced that now is all we will ever know!
Look at your neighbor and say "this is a season . . . it will pass!"
b. Quit overlooking provisions because you have problems.
Notice what took place here. An angel finds Elijah in the dessert and provides him a home cooked meal and a jug of water. Food and water in the desert when apparently Elijah had approached this as a suicide mission because he walks into the desert empty handed. 2 days in a row an angel feeds and hydrates Elijah. Sustains him for a 40 day journey on foot. But when he arrives at the cave he comes out complaining. No mention of provision. He was so focused on his problems that he missed God's hand at work in his life. There was no hint of gratitude. No grasp of God in the mix. His problem caused him to pout rather than ponder!
I am concerned that some of us who are facing or will have significant problems will become so focused on the problems that if we are not cautious, then we will walk past miracles due to our pain. If we are not careful, then we miss provision. We miss the small things He is doing for us. We limp past love. We miss what He is sending because we are focused on what we want Him to send. Take note of the supply He has given. Take note of the relationship He has provided. Take note of the paycheck He did let you get. If we don't learn this lesson, then we will end up like Elijah - we will have a full belly and empty heart. It should have been a full belly and a full heart as he recognized God's faithfulness even in the driest moment of his life.
Don't let the drought make you doubt!
I know your problem is real and it is big but take an account of what God has done and continues to do! Because as we take note of those things it increases our faith for what He can do about our problems.
c. Quit being distracted!
Elijah hears noise but finally pushes past the distraction of the fire, earthquake, wind and distinguishes God's voice. If we are going to make it this year, then we have to lean in and hear His voice. I can assure you there will be distractions. In fact, I am convinced that distraction may be the number one weapon used by our enemy to destroy us.
Listen, there will be noise. There will be other voices clamoring for your attention. However, hear His voice. Quit listening to the loudest voice. Quit listening to the impressive voice. Quit listening to the awe inspiring voice. Push past all of that noise and hear His voice.
His voice is the key for direction and deliverance. Distraction = defeat! Voice = victory!
Who has the loudest voice in your life? What voice must you silence to hear His voice?
