Matthew 11:28: Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Philippians 4:19: But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
THERE ARE TIMES IN OUR CHRISTIAN WALK WE NEED A RENEWAL OF OUR HOPE AND FAITH
- Life can knock us down
- Many circumstances in life can knock us down
- Accidents, sicknesses, people who oppose us, money issues, heartbreaks in relationships, stresses on your job, grief, depression, emotional burdens, wayward family members, and the list goes on.
- We are not superheroes or superhumans.
- We are just human beings.
- and need each other
- And mostly we need the power of God
PROPHET ELIJAH STRONG PERSON IN FAITH
BUT A FRAIL FEEBLE HUMAN BEING LIKE US
ELIJAH WAS AFFECTED BY DEPRESSION AND SUICIDE EVEN AFTER A BIG SHOWDOWN VICTORY OVER THE PROPHETS OF BAAL (TURN TO FIRST KINGS 18 VS 37-40
1 Kings 18: 37-40 37 Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the Lord God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again.38 Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.39 And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The Lord, he is the God; the Lord, he is the God.40 And Elijah said unto them, Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape. And they took them: and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon and slew them there.
- In a remarkable display of the power of God
- God used Elijah to defeat over 800 prophets of Baal
- And the people’s hearts were turned from idolatry to serve the one living and true God
BUT ELIJAH WAS ABOUT TO FACE A GREAT TRIAL AFTER WALKING IN A GREAT VICTORY (GO ONE CHAPTER OVER TO 1 KINGS 19)
1 Kings 19: 1-3: And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword.2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time.3 And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there.
- After that display of the power of God
- Ahab and Jezebel remained evil
- In vs. 3, Jezebel sought revenge because of the death of the prophets of Baal
- and sent a messenger to warn Elijah that his life was in danger
CONTINUING WITH 1 KINGS 19: VS 4, ELIJAH WENT FROM SHOWDOWN TO MELTDOWN
1 Kings 19:4: But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.
Elijah had a meltdown before the Lord:
- The first mistake that Elijah made was to isolate himself
- He didn’t even turn to God for help
- Instead, he prayed for God to take his life
- Elijah had become tired, overwhelmed, and depressed about his work for the Lord.
- Even great people can break down.
GOD SUSTAINED AND SHELTERED ELIJAH WHEN HE WAS UNDER THE JUNIPER TREE
THE LORD ALSO PROMISES TO GIVE US REST AND MEET OUR NEEDS:
Matthew 11:28: Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Philippians 4:19: But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
THE LORD CAN PROVIDE SHELTER FROM DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES IN OUR LIVES
Ps 46 :1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
GOD IS OUR COMFORT WHEN WE FEEL OVERWHELMED
Isaiah 41:10: Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
Jeremiah 29:11: For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
Psalm 23:4: Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.