Getting that Second Wind
(Fifty Days of Consecration #8)
1 Kings 19:1-18[1]
05-08-05
How many of you know what it means for a runner to get his second wind? I’m not enough of a runner to know much about the experience first hand. But I’m told that there comes a point when the runner feels like giving up and if he will press on he will get a fresh surge of energy and be able to finish the race well. There are certainly times in our service to the Lord when we need to get a second wind. There are times when we need a fresh empowerment for the race that is before us. The writer of Hebrews exhorts us to throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and to run the race marked out for us (the race God has designed for you personally) with perseverance. Have you found that it takes some perseverance to do this thing over the long run? What does the race involve? How do we run it with perseverance? The next verse in Hebrews 12:2 gives some of the answer, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus ….” Distractions can throw us off stride in this race. A wise runner will not look to the left or right. He will not look at the other runners. He will set his eyes on the finish line and go for it with all his might. Jesus is the prize and He is the model—the pace-setter for all that we do. An essential key to running well is staying focused upon Jesus.
This morning we will talk about how to get your second wind in ministry. I will only briefly touch upon the devotional exercises of the week. They provide the foundation for what I want to share. The devotional material calls for a servant’s heart (a mindset quite different from that which prevails in the world). Psalm 100 tells us to “Serve the Lord with gladness.” There is the danger that we would begin this race with great enthusiasm and joy—but at some point the gladness becomes sadness. The joy is replaced by duty and drudgery. The vision that set us on the race gets replaced by the responsibility to simply continue the race. Right before a runner gets his second wind he is tempted to give out and give up. He has to press through that wall and break through to another level. The breakthrough is sort of a revival for the runner.
Before I get into the heart of this message I do want to drive home one essential truth that was in our devotional: To serve the Lord is to serve others. The service may be like that of the prophetess, Anna, in Luke 2. It may center on prayer and fasting and worship. But it never ends without doing something helpful to others. It is hard for us to estimate the value of Anna’s ministry to Joseph and Mary. Surely they were encouraged in the task God had given them when Anna prophesied concerning the child, Jesus. Her words to the faithful remnant in Jerusalem were part of God’s program for the revelation of Jesus as Messiah. Service is not restricted to those activities that we normally associate with the word. However, the heart of God is always directed toward the pain and needs of humanity—and when I say humanity I mean one person at a time. The Father cares about every hair of every individual. Jesus touched the individual leper and brought healing.[2] Virtue flowed out of Him to that one woman with the issue of blood.[3] What individual stands near you in need of help? Jesus was on His way to do something important when He encounter blind Bartimaeus (Mk 10:46). The need is usually encountered while we are on our way to do something we consider important. But Jesus stopped to relieve the suffering this man was experiencing.
Empowerment by the Holy Spirit is never designed to end with our own enjoyment. “Freely you have received; freely give.”[4] The flow of the Spirit is not to be entrapped in my own selfishness and become a stagnant pool. It is to flow in me and through me so that I am not only blessed but I become a channel of blessing to others. The key word for the power of God’s Spirit in your life and my life is the word “others”. “In as much (Jesus said in one of His parables) as you did it unto one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me (Matt. 25:40).” The flow of God’s Spirit always dries up when people use it for their own enjoyment alone. Right before he died on August 20, 1912 William Booth sent forth his final message through a telegram to the Salvation Army officers world-wide. The message consisted of only one word: “others”. If we want God to pour out His Spirit in our lives, our thinking must resound with that word “others”.[5] Holy Spirit empowerment is for the sake of serving the needs of “others”. Acts 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." The Holy Spirit is given to empower you and me to be a witness of Jesus Christ in word and in deed.
The inspiration for self-sacrificing service begins with our own personal encounter with God. Moses encountered God at the burning bush. Samuel encountered God as a child lying on his bed. Joseph encountered God in a dream. Paul’s encounter happened on the road to Damascus. All these men poured out their lives for others because they had encountered God and out of that encounter were “sent” to serve. In Isaiah 6 that prophet had an encounter with the Lord. He saw the Lord high and lifted up in His temple. He saw his own need for sanctification. He heard the call, “Whom shall we send?” And He responded to that call by saying, “Here am I send me!” Have you heard God’s call on your life? Have you heard that question in your own heart? May everyone of us respond to God’s call like Isaiah did: “Here am I send me!” He’s not volunteering for greatness as the world would define it. He is not volunteering for recognition or position. He is volunteering for service.
Only when we know that our service has been initiated by God can we serve with gladness. Otherwise we feel like a victim. Otherwise we feel used. We must hear the Lord tell us to serve. Then we can do it for His approval rather than for approval from man. Then we can continue under the inspiration of serving the One Who loved us and gave Himself for us.[6]
But I find examples in the Bible of people who began with that kind of inspiration; but somewhere along the way lost their passion—wanted to give up—even wanted to die. It happened to Moses in Numbers 11. Moses had worn himself out in ministry. He had failed to delegate wisely. He had allowed the grumblings of others to get to him. This great man of God who confronted the most powerful man on earth—who had challenged the most powerful nation on earth—who had lead Israel out of bondage through the Red Sea—is basically telling God he can’t take any more. Listen to what he says to God in Num 11:14-15 “I cannot carry all these people by myself; the burden is too heavy for me. 15 If this is how you are going to treat me, put me to death right now--if I have found favor in your eyes--and do not let me face my own ruin." I am so thankful for the way God dealt with Moses at that point. God didn’t chastise him for having a bad, negative attitude. God simply told him how to resolve the problem. If you’re in a place of discouragement like that, God will also meet with you and give you some answers. Are we desperate enough to hear what He has to say? If we are we will hear and will be helped.
This might be a good place to show you a video clip from the movie, “The Incredibles”. Mr. Incredible has served faithfully. But he is frustrated that it never seems to be enough. And then on top of that instead of being appreciated, he is criticized. Watch and see if you can identify with him.
Play “The Incredibles” (0:01:25 to 0:03:54) plus (0:09:15 to 0:11:33)
I share that because in this room are some superheros who stepped out in ministry and had some experiences that were something like what is illustrated in that clip. You were trying to help; but people misunderstood your motives, things didn’t work out the way you had expected. There were disappointments and you did like the last part of that clip. You just pulled back and tried to blend into the crowd. But God is not through with you and He is still calling you to His service. The gifts and callings of God are without repentance.[7] God is just as serious today about your calling as He ever was.
In the text we read at the beginning of the service in 1 Kings 19, we find Elijah behaving very much out of character. He is a courageous man of God. But there he is in
in verse 4 slumped down under a broom tree in the dessert. And what does he have to say to God? He prayed that he might die. He says to God, “I have had enough, LORD.” Have you ever told God, “I have had enough”? I heard about one worn out servant who told the Lord, “It’s no wonder to me, LORD, that You have so few friends, the way You treat the ones You have.”[8] The man was simply expressing what he felt inside. During my years of ministry there have been some times when I’ve told the LORD, “I have had enough—I can’t take any more of this opportunity to serve.”
When we get in that condition it’s time to catch a second wind, amen? This does not sound like the man we see in the previous chapter at Mt. Carmel. Is this the man who challenged that wicked King Ahab? Is this the man who challenged the prophets of Baal and called down fire from heaven? Is this the man of God who courageously called all of Israel to repentance?
How did such a man as Elijah get into such a discouraged, depressed state of mind?
1st He was physically exhausted.
He had quite a day on Mt. Carmel. There he rebuilt the altar of the Lord. It was not sitting there ready for him. It was broken down. That’s usually the way ministry is. We are prone to want ministry handed to us on a silver platter. But it’s usually setting there in pile of rubble waiting for us to go to work. God sent the fire. But Elijah had to rebuild the altar. That’s what these spiritual disciples we have discussed during the last few weeks are all about. Killing over 450 false prophets with the sword had to take some energy as well.
There was a lot of confrontation there on Mt. Carmel. Have you noticed how draining confrontation is? Elijah not only confronted the false prophets he also confronted the people of Israel. 1 Kings 18:21 “Elijah went before the people and said, "How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him."
He had also finished a 14 mile footrace with King Ahab’s horses and won. Obviously that could not be done without the anointing of God. 1 Kings 18:46 says “…the hand of the Lord came upon him.” That’s how he did it. But those who have operated in the anointing know that when the task is done we are often thoroughly exhausted.
We are not just spiritual beings. We are primarily spiritual beings; but we are also in a physical body. And sometimes our discouragement—our state of mind is due to simply being fatigued. That was not the whole story here for Elijah but no doubt it was a factor.
2nd Elijah felt alone. He mentions that in verses 10 and 14 of our text. Loneliness can contribute to a state of despair. We need the support and encouragement of others. And when we feel isolated—when we feel like no one understands—especially when we feel rejected then we can lose our passion for ministry.
3rd Elijah had also allowed fear a place in his heart. When he heard of Jezebel’s threats the Bible tells us he was afraid. It was so out of character for Elijah; but instead of courageously standing up to her, he ran. I think it caught him off guard. Who would have expected such a response from Jezebel? When fire falls from heaven most people back off. But Jezebel was so hard-hearted that she attacked Elijah. When we’re exhausted our perspective can easily get distorted. Who was Jezebel compared to God who was with Elijah? Had he been in a different condition under different circumstances he might have behaved differently. But this was the situation that arose and he responded in fear rather than faith. Fear drains our strength. It causes us to wrestle with things that in reality aren’t even happening. God has not given us a spirit of fear but of love and of power and of a sound mind.[9]
4th and perhaps most significant was disappointment. Perhaps during that three year draught he had thought to himself—if we just show those prophets of Baal up for what they really are—if Israel would just turn from Baal to God then everything would be OK. If God would just manifest Himself and work a miracle, then Israel would repent and my life would get easier. God did work the miracle. The fire did fall and the prophets of Baal were dealt with. But there were still problems. Jezebel was not intimidated by all that. The results were not what he had hoped for.
I think Elijah was disappointed in himself as well. Instead of standing up to Jezebel he had run. In his mind that failure overshadowed all that God had done. Elijah felt he had given it his best shot and it still didn’t work. If you have ever been there you know how easy it is to lose heart at that point.
So how did Elijah get his second wind spiritually speaking?
1st God gave him REST. Verse 5 says he lay down and fell asleep. God sent him help. God sent an angel with food and drink for Elijah. God graciously nurtured him and strengthened him. Sometimes we have to get some rest before we can receive the vision God has for our next assignment. When I am overwhelmed with work and exhausted I find it hard to function as a visionary. I am a person of vision. But those factors tend to shut down vision in our lives. And vision is crucial to our progress.
2nd God gave him REVELATION. Verse 9 “…And the word of the Lord came to him”. God asked him a Question: “What are you doing here Elijah? Of course, God knew. But the question was asked so Elijah would start thinking right. His eyes had gotten on himself [10]rather than upon God’s purposes? Elijah, what is your purpose in life? What have I called you to do?
Perhaps God would whisper that question to some of us this morning. Are you weary in well doing?[11] Are you tired, disoriented? What are you doing here? Come back to the why behind all your service. Remember God’s call on your life. Do people fail to appreciate your efforts? Do you feel like a failure? Do you feel alone? Come back to why you served to begin with. It wasn’t for people’s approval. It was for God’s approval. It was for God’s honor. It was to do the will of the Father. What are you here for anyway?
3rd God Re-Commissioned him. Our ability to serve in the first place is based upon God’s call on our lives and His sending us into service. There is great strength in knowing that the Lord has sent us. But as we talked about earlier the difficulties and disappointments over time can blur that sense of calling. That’s when we need a fresh encounter with God that not only affirms the calling but gives specific action to take.
1 Kings 19:15-16 “The LORD said to him, "Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. 16 Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet.” Now Elijah knows what to do next. The inertia is ended. A course of action is given. Fresh vision now comes. And there is nothing like vision from God to inspire service.
4th God gave him Reassurance. 1 Kings 19:17-18 “Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu. 18 Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel-all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and all whose mouths have not kissed him."
Elijah, you are not alone. I have reserved seven thousand who stand loyal to Me. The job will get done because I will see to it. You do what I tell you to do and leave the driving to Me—leave the results to me.
Maybe you could use some encouragement this morning. Perhaps God has given this message today because there are those who need a fresh encounter with the Lord. Perhaps there are those who heard the call of God and stepped out into ministry. But difficulties and disappointments have robbed you of your passion. Will you you’re your heart today and let Him re-commission you? Will you ask Him for a fresh revelation of His will for your life? It is vision from Him that inspires service and it is vision from Him that sustains service.
Invitation
TEXT: 1 Kings 19:1-18
19:1 Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. 2 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." 3 Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, 4 while he himself went a day’s journey into the desert. He came to a broom tree, 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." 5 Then he lay down under the tree and fell asleep.
All at once an angel touched him and said, "Get up and eat." 6 He looked around, and there by his head was a cake of bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again.
7 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." 8 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. 9 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?" 10 He replied, "I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken 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." 11 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. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" 14 He replied, "I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken 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." 15 The LORD said to him, "Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. 16 Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet. 17 Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu. 18 Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel-all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and all whose mouths have not kissed him." (from New International Version)
Richard Tow
Grace Chapel Foursquare Church
Springfield, MO
www.gracechapelchurch.org
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[1] Text which was read at the beginning of the service is attached at the end of this manuscript. All Scripture quotes are from New International Version unless otherwise indicated.
[2] Matthew 8:2-3
[3] Luke 8:43-48
[4] Matthew 10:8
[5] From http://www.shinenow.com/Boothwall/timeline3.html accessed 5-7-05
[6] Galatians 2:20
[7] Romans 11:29
[8] Sermon preached by Jack Taylor in about 1992 in Springfield, Missouri
[9] 2 Timothy 1:7. Also see Proverbs 28:1.
[10] Notice Elijah’s self-pity in our text. Notice how critical he has become of others.
[11] Galatians 6:9; 1 Corinthians 15:58; Romans 12:11
