Pastor Adam has been bringing us some very timely and helpful messages in this series, Messy Spirituality; A Series for Imperfect Christians. Last week we looked at the mess of discouragement. We looked at Hannah, one of the two wives of Elkanah, and how the “other” wife made fun of her for not being able to have children. She faced discouragement, which is defined as wishing things were different but not having the ability to change. However, even in the midst of that mess, Hannah got up and prayed, and God heard her and blessed her with a son. We are reminded that God is with us in the middle of our mess.
This week we are going to look a few layers deeper where we see discouragement turn to despair. When we are in the throes of despair, we are so overwhelmed that we do not even know where to begin cleaning up the mess. (Disclaimer: Pastor Adam made it clear that he is not referring to clinical depression, a disorder chemically produced in our bodies. That is a very real issue, and we are here to help connect anyone needing to talk with someone or even connect to professional help.) The despair he spoke of today is maybe more of a seasonal depression or despair that comes in waves.
We’ll be looking at Elijah, and the text will be out of 1 Kings. We read about his despair in 1 Kings 19:3-4 “Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. He went to Beersheba, a town in Judah, and he left his servant there. 4) Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died.”
Elijah was doing well, then he faced a few things, and well, then he was not okay. He felt he had had enough and was ready for God to just let him be done. Before we look at how things actually went and how God showed up, let’s rewind and take this week to see what happened to cause Elijah to despair, take time to evaluate where we are, and then see how God showed up for Elijah and be encouraged that He shows up for us too.
Monday:
Elijah is a hero of the faith in the Old Testament, and yet life overwhelmed him. He had his life together, didn’t see despair coming, and when it hit, it hit hard. Pastor Adam spoke about 2020. Some muscled through, yet for many, the isolation and unknown were just so overwhelming. It felt heavy and, at times, unbearable. So let’s look at Elijah. 1 Kings 17:1 says that Elijah was instructed to give King Ahab a message - a drought was coming. There would be no dew or rain for several years. In fact, there would be none until Elijah gave the word. In 1 Kings 18, we see that God tells Elijah to go to King Ahab and tell him that rain is coming soon. King Ahab (1 Kings 18:17) sees Elijah and calls him a troublemaker. However, Elijah clarifies to King Ahab that in fact, he, the King, and his family, are the true troublemakers because they refused to follow the Lord. We see Elijah push through.
Reflection/Action:
Take some time to read 1 Kings 17 and then 1 Kings 18: 1-18.
Think about Elijah being obedient to God. He warns King Ahab, and the King does not understand that he is actually in the wrong. Elijah stays strong; he’s got God on his side. Have you faced a situation that was tough, but you powered through? Have you had a time when you were really assured of God’s presence? Can you identify with Elijah? If so, how? If not, why? (No wrong answer, just personal reflection).
Tuesday:
1 Kings 18:19 is where we pick up and begin reading the story that we are most familiar with about Elijah’s life. He tells King Ahab to gather all the people of Israel to come and see a showdown between the prophets of Baal and the Lord God. Remember, they are facing a drought, and Baal is seen as the god of rain. Pastor Adam shared that they sinned by worshiping Baal (god of rain as they saw it), and He sent a drought. “God is not going to bless what we put in His place.” So the prophets of Baal build an altar and call upon Baal. Crickets . . . Elijah offers up a couple of reasons why they have not heard from Baal. Maybe he’s sleeping, or better yet, maybe he is in the bathroom. They cry out even louder and still nothing!!!!!! Then we see Elijah. Certain of his God, he tells his servants to douse their altar with water (remember there is a drought, yet they sacrifice in faith). Elijah prays and asks God to show Himself (1 Kings 18:36-37) Then we read: “Immediately the fire of the Lord flashed down from heaven and burned up the young bull, the wood, the stones, and the dust. It even licked up all the water in the trench! 39) And when all the people saw it, they fell face down on the ground and cried out, “The Lord—he is God! Yes, the Lord is God!” 1 Kings 18:38-39. Then it begins to rain.
Reflection/Action:
This is a powerful moment. Baal has been seen for who he really is, nothing. God is seen for who He really is . . . The One True God! And then the rain comes, just as Elijah had told King Ahab it would. We may not have faced a circumstance exactly like this; however, we have faced hard circumstances. You’ve remained faithful in the midst of difficulty. You’ve trusted God in the face of difficulty. You’ve experienced God in a real and tangible way. Take some time to consider this. Read 1 Kings 18. Do you see yourself in Elijah?
Wednesday:
So we see Elijah, how he faced some really hard things, persevered, and saw God move. Seems like he would feel excited, but we see that he doesn’t. Maybe we can relate to this. We face something hard and tell ourselves, just on the other side of this, things will be better. Once the kids are grown, once I get a different job, once . . . yet life seems harder, not better. Consider these last couple of years we have all faced. What do we do when the things we thought we walked through are over but then realize we are still deeply affected by them?
Reflection/Action:
Considering that question: What do we do when the things we thought that the things we walked through are over but then realize we are still deeply affected by them? Simply ask, “How do I invite God into this space?” Sit with that. What do you feel He is speaking to your heart? Write it down. Tell a trusted friend. Take a step forward.
Thursday:
Let’s take a look at the cause of Elijah’s despair first and some of the points Pastor Adam made. *”Despair shows up when we don’t expect it.” Elijah is coming off a big victory, maybe we’ve just finished a really rough season. And instead of relief and joy we are hit with a wave of despair? We also see *”Despair feels hopeless.” Before the “show down” Elijah’s life was threatened, and the king wanted to kill him. We then read in 1 Kings 19:1-2 “When Ahab got home, he told Jezebel everything Elijah had done, including the way he had killed all the prophets of Baal. 2) So Jezebel sent this message to Elijah: “May the gods strike me and even kill me if by this time tomorrow I have not killed you just as you killed them.” Everyone witnessed God sending fire down and consuming the altar and the water and yet, here Elijah is, the same as before-with a target on his back. Despair sets in.
Reflection/Action:
Have you found despair knocking on your door when you least expected it? And have you found yourself hopeless? You are working on the marriage? You are trying to parent that hard child differently. Then it seems like, feels like nothing is different. Nothing has changed. Has despair set in? Elijah felt that too. Take a moment to read Isaiah 40:31 ”But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”
Friday:
There are a couple of other points about despair that we should consider. *”Despair comes when it feels like people are against you.” Elijah had every valid reason to feel that way, because it was the truth. He was afraid, and it was hard to see how God would work this situation out. Are you feeling that way? Others are against you? Are you having a hard time seeing how God will work the situation out? The other thing about despair that Pastor Adam pointed out, *”Despair thrives on exhaustion and isolation.” We can get so emotionally, physically, and spiritually exhausted that we begin to despair. And then we isolate. We read in 1 Kings 19:3-4a “Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. He went to Beersheba, a town in Judah, and he left his servant there. 4) Then he went on alone into the wilderness”, Isolation is dangerous. The enemy wants us to isolate and then to think we are the only ones who have ever felt this way or faced this hard thing. And then the despair gets even worse. Elijah was done.
Reflection/Action:
Considering the points about despair we read above, where are you? Are you feeling despair because there is someone against you? Are you exhausted, and have you isolated yourself? Take some time to meditate on Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” This is the goodness of God. He loves you deeply. He is for you. He is with you.
Saturday:
1 Kings 19:5-6 we read, “Then he lay down and slept under the broom tree. But as he was sleeping, an angel touched him and told him, “Get up and eat!” 6) He looked around and there beside his head was some bread baked on hot stones and a jar of water! So he ate and drank and lay down again.” God, in His kindness, provided for Elijah. God in His kindness provides for you. There are many reasons for the Church God created. One of the many reasons: we need each other! Elijah shares his feelings with God, 1 Kings 19:13b-14, “And a voice said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”14) He replied again, “I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.” He feels like he is a victim and God is gentle with him. You may feel like you are a victim, but God will be gentle with you. He gives Elijah a new assignment, and He sends him a friend (actually a few-1 Kings 19:16 and 18) God will send you a friend or a few. He cares.
Reflection/Action:
You may be in a season of despair. You may be overwhelmed. God cares. Here at Rockhills, we care. You are so very loved. Cling to Him. Pour out your despair to Him. Let Micah 7:7 be your prayer, “But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.” We are here for you. Please know that we stand ready to walk alongside you. And be reminded of the nearness of the Lord today.