Introduction

Good morning, church family! I want to welcome each and every one of you here today. We're going to delve into a powerful passage from 1 Kings 19:1-6. Here, we see the prophet Elijah experiencing one of his lowest moments. Yet, in this place of despair, he finds strength, not only in God but also in the community around him.

As Charles Spurgeon once said, “Hope itself is like a star- not to be seen in the sunshine of prosperity, and only to be discovered in the night of adversity.” Today, we are going to discuss how we can turn to Christ to find strength during times of adversity, the power of community, and how we can overcome depression.

Let’s read the scripture together:

"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."

Finding Strength in Christ

When we look at Elijah's life, we see a man who was not immune to fear and despair. Despite his prophetic calling and the miracles he had witnessed and performed, Elijah found himself in a place of utter desolation. He was so overwhelmed by his circumstances that he prayed for death. Yet, it was in this very place of despair that he found strength in God.

We can always find strength in Christ: The Apostle Paul echoes this sentiment in Philippians 4:13 when he says, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." This is not a promise of an easy life or a life devoid of challenges. Instead, it is a promise of divine strength and empowerment in the face of adversity.

More than receiving divine power to overcome our challenges: It is also about finding comfort and peace in His presence. In the midst of his despair, Elijah was not left alone. God sent an angel to provide for him, to comfort him, and to strengthen him. This is a beautiful picture of God's tender care for us, even in our darkest moments.

The New Testament: We see Jesus Christ, God incarnate, extending this same comfort and strength to those around Him. In Matthew 11:28, Jesus says, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." This invitation is extended to all of us. When we are weary, when we are burdened, when we are at our lowest, we can come to Christ and find rest and strength in Him.

Involves surrender: When Elijah prayed for death, he was essentially saying, "I can't do this on my own. I need You, God." In our own lives, we often reach a point where we realize that we can't do it on our own. We need God. We need His strength. We need His grace. And so, we surrender. We surrender our fears, our anxieties, our burdens to Him. And in that place of surrender, we find strength.

A continual supply: Just as Elijah was fed and strengthened not once, but twice, we too can experience God's continual strength in our lives. In Isaiah 40:31, we read, "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." This is a promise of ongoing strength, a strength that renews and rejuvenates us, enabling us to face whatever comes our way.

The Power of Community

Despite being a prophet of God, Elijah was human and experienced fear, loneliness, and despair, just like any of us ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO