July 28 2013 Trusting God When You Feel Alone
/TRUSTING GOD WHEN YOU FEEL ALONE
Thoughts on Discouragement
1. Elijah was totally exhausted.
I Kings 18 - Meanwhile the sky grew black with clouds and the winds rose, a heavy rain came on and Ahab rode off to Jezreel. The power of the Lord came upon Elijah and, tucking his cloak into his belt, he ran ahead of Ahab all the way to Jezreel.
2. Elijah was naïve.
I Kings 19:1-3 - 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 one of them.
3. It can lead to isolation.
I Kings 19:4 - Elijah went a day’s journey into the desert. He came to a broom tree, sat down under it, and prayed that he might die.
Loneliness = inner emptiness.
A preoccupation with poor me.
Aloneness = is inner fulfillment.
Now that I’m alone with Jesus, I can recover, repair and regroup.
4. It hurts our self image.
Verse 4 - I have had enough, Lord, he said, take my life. I am no better than my ancestors.
We cannot consistently live in a manner that is inconsistent with the way we see ourselves.
5. Causes us to run from responsibility.
Verse 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?”
6. Causes us to blame others for our circumstances.
Verse 10 - I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty, but now 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.
7. Makes our future look hopeless.
How did God deal with Elijah’s discouragement?
1. Gave him rest and food.
Verses 5-8
2. Encouraged him.
Verses 9-10
Areas I can Change:
Areas I can get changed:
Areas that are not going to be changed:
3. Renewed relationship with God.
Verses 11-13
4. Told him to get back to work.
Verse 15 - Go back the way you came. Anoint the King and Elisha as the prophet to come after you.
5. Gave him someone to minister to him.
Verse 21 - Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his attendant.
