This week's Bible Study - August 12, 2007
When You're Discouraged
 Background Scripture:
1 Kings 19:1-18
Quote of the Week:
“The Christian life is not a constant high. I have my moments of deep discouragement. I have to go to God in prayer with tears in my eyes, and say, 'O God, forgive me,' or 'Help me.'”
-- Billy Graham
Have you ever been discouraged? We've all been there. Discouragement comes from unfulfilled expectations - and if our expectations are out of line with God's expectations, then we may find ourselves discouraged often. Sometimes, people are expecting more from an endeavor - in the workplace, or in a relationship, or at church, or at school or elsewhere. They put forth an effort, and they don't see the results they hoped for - hence, some level of discouragement.
Years ago, I remember that my church held a big revival. It was publicized and 'big names' were brought in. We had dynamic speakers and music that was touching the lives of many people. On one such occasion, I remember that our staff was set for a tremendous result. They had planned and done everything right - made sure there was ample parking and seating, and that the guests were capable of drawing a crowd and sharing the gospel clearly. The night went like clockwork, and an invitation was given for people to make some decision to follow Christ. There were one or two people that followed through - not the bountiful harvest that was expected. I remember seeing the signs of discouragement from some of the staff, who were hoping to reach tens, if not hundreds of people that night.
More recently, I've worked on several mission trips involving sports camps and English camps, etc. Again, the groundwork was laid and much was expected. Sometimes, the cultural differences weren't understood until too late, such as a parent's night in Taiwan, where hardly any parents showed up. Again, there was some level of discouragement. We all face discouragement at one time or another. What do you do when you are discouraged?
Ahab was the king and Jezebel was the queen. However, Jezebel seemed to be the one that wore the pants in this royal family. On more than one occasion, Ahab became distraught because things didn't work out the way he had wanted, and Jezebel insisted on reminding him that he was the king and he was in control of the outcome. Some still hold this thought today - those with the power and the money and the fame - they can control their own outcome and live a life of luxury and ease. However, death faces everyone, as does sickness and natural disaster. Sure, money might get you the car you want or the house you want, but there is much more in life that cannot be bought.
This chapter in 1 Kings follows a couple of significant events in the interchange between Ahab and Elijah. Ahab had become the king of Israel. He was an evil king, committing many sins, including marrying Jezebel, which led the worship of Baal. The things that Ahab did provoked the Lord to anger more than against any other king prior. Elijah was a prophet who came to Ahab and told him that there would be neither no dew nor rain in the next few years, until Elijah said the word. After two and a half years of severe drought, Elijah came to speak to Ahab. In that time of drought, Jezebel had killed many of the Lord's prophets, in response to the drought, but some had been hidden by Obadiah, a devout believer in the Lord, in charge of the palace. Elijah came back to see Ahab, He found Obadiah and asked for a visit with the king. Obadiah told Elijah of the king's displeasure and that he would likely die. The meeting with king Ahab happened, and Elijah spoke the word (prompted by the Lord) and the drought ended up with a huge storm.
There was also the encounter with the prophets of Baal, who had a showdown with Elijah. Elijah told the prophets (450) that they should build an altar and ask their gods to set the altar on fire. The prophets did so, but no fire occurred. Elijah told the prophets that their gods must be sleeping or otherwise occupied. They called louder, but still no fire. Elijah then had his altar drenched with several buckets of water - called upon the Lord to light it and the altar was consumed by fire. The prophets of Baal were then put to death by the sword. In both of these occasions, God showed himself in a very remarkable way and you would have to believe that he was encouraged.
Ahab was very discouraged at all that happened and he shared what had happened with Jezebel. Jezebel decided it was time to take things into the 'royal' hands and take care of Elijah once and for all. She sent a messenger to Elijah with the message that his life would be taken in the next day, and if not, the gods would deal severely with Jezebel. Maybe she didn't have much to fear - her gods couldn't light the altar, so perhaps she felt rather confident in her words.
Elijah got the message and was petrified. Had he forgotten how God had come through for him in the past? We may not be able to relate with Elijah, calling off the drought with his words, or having the showdown with the prophets of Baal, but most of us are guilty of this. God works in our lives, over and over. Yet, when the next obstacle comes up, we sometimes forget what God had done in the past. God doesn't change, and we should learn he is faithful. However, we tend to forget that fact.
With the message, Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. All of a sudden, he seemed to go from trusting in God to provide and thought he was responsible for his own well-being. He went a day's journey into the desert and started his own pity party. He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. This part sounds a lot like Jonah, the prophet who didn't want to do what God called him to do. It is hard to believe that this was Elijah, the prophet who did many might things in the name of the Lord.
Elijah seemed to think he had done enough in his life - and that he was spent. He was ready to become like one of his ancestors, who had faithfully served, but had now gone off to be with the Lord. He was ready to die, but interestingly enough, he laid down and fell to sleep in the shade - so, maybe not quite so ready to die. After he went to sleep, an angel touched him and told him to get up and eat. There just 'happened' to be a cake of bread baked over hot coals and a jar of water next to him. He ate and drank and then lay down again. Isn't it interesting that God was there, even in the midst of his pity party? God knows that we have down times, but he still cares. He provided the nourishment, but it required something on Elijah's part to get up and eat it.
Even though his attitude wasn't the best, there are a couple of things that Elijah needed - rest and nourishment. It had occurred to me that when I don't get enough sleep, or the right kind of nourishment, it impacts my life negatively. I also need exercise, but most importantly is the time I spend with God. These four things are important for our own well-being. When we neglect any of these, we are living a life out of balance. Also, when we put too much emphasis on any of the other things besides God's word, our lives are out of balance. Sleep is essential, as is food - but if we sleep too much or eat too much, we also have problems. It truly is amazing that our bodies work as they do, but to be the people God has called us to be, we must live a life of balance.
After Elijah had slept some more, the angel came back and touched him, telling him to get up and eat, to be prepared for his journey. He had adequate time of rest and had food and water to strengthen him. Again, these are necessary essentials to our well-being, especially when we are discouraged. But, notice that God wasn't content in leaving Elijah there - in a ritual of eating and sleeping. God wanted him to move.
When Elijah was strengthened, he traveled forty days and nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. It is obvious that Elijah was past the ready to die stage and he was again seeking God. He went into a cave and spent the night. During the night, the word of the Lord cam and asked him what he was doing there.
Elijah's response hit the crux of his discouragement. He had been very zealous for the Lord (in his own eyes, and in ours). The Israelites, God's people, had rejected God's covenants and broken down God's altars and put God's prophets to death with the sword. In Elijah's eyes, everything looked bleak and like a disaster. He believed he was the only one left and there was nobody else to serve with him - and he was about to be put to death.
Sometimes, this may explain our discouragement. It may not be so much what we have done, but what others have done. You may have done your duty - teaching a class or serving in a position of ministry, or striving to stay faithful in your relationships, or being the best parent you can be - but others may have failed you. You may feel like Elijah. Why keep trying? Why keep serving? Why not just give up? This is where Elijah was. There are other reasons for discouragement, as we all well know, but we should realize that, whatever the source, the same principles for recovery apply.
God listened to Elijah's complaint, and told Elijah to go stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord. Elijah held onto his discouragement, but he followed through. When we are discouraged, we should also seek God's presence. Elijah went to the mountain, and a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks - God's awesome power - but the Lord was not in the wind. Then, an earthquake came, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. Then, came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. Then, came the whisper - and Elijah heard the voice of the Lord. Why the wind and the earthquake and fire? I believe this was to get Elijah's attention. But, God didn't speak to Elijah in these events. It was in the gentle whisper.
Sometimes, our lives get so busy that we can't even hear the whisper of God. If God spoke to you in a whisper, are you close enough to hear what he would say? God asked why Elijah was there - he knew, but he wanted Elijah to say it again. Elijah reiterated how he had been zealous, but others had failed God, and those faithful had been put to death and that he was next. He still held on to the 'facts' that caused discouragement, but as least he was now dialoguing with God.
God spoke back to Elijah. He didn't specifically start by answering the complaints of Elijah, but God gave him something to do. This is also what we need to do when we are discouraged. Don't wallow forever in your discouragement, but get back to doing the service that God has called you to. Elijah was to go anoint Hazael as king over Aram, and Jehu, son of Nimshi king over Israel. He was also to go find Elisha to anoint him to become the successor to Elijah.
These two kings were to clean house, putting to death by sword those who had not been faithful to God. Any who made it past the kings would be killed by Elisha. God knew that some of Elijah's complaints were legitimate, and he was going to take care of things. However, the point that God ended with to Elijah in this passage is that there were seven thousand in Israel who had been faithful to God and had not bowed to Baal.
Do you ever feel like you're alone, serving the Lord? That's never the case. In the local church, there are those who also desire to serve God as you do. Sure, there are problems there - we all have issues of one sort or another, but we are the body of Christ. And, then outside of your church and your denomination are millions upon millions of believers around the world. As I've traveled to different spots on mission trips, I have come to know and love many other believers who may be from a different culture, worshipping in a different language, yet loving God and trusting Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
Closing
Are you discouraged, even right now? I don't know what might be causing your discouragement - and if it is legitimate or not, but I do know that God gives us very tangible instruction to overcome our discouragement. Get your rest, eat right and seek God. Get back into service, doing what God has gifted you to do - whether it is to teach or work with youth or children, or sing in a choir, or serve in a kitchen, or drive a church bus or whatever - do it. I think often our discouragement comes when we focus on what others are or aren't doing, rather than focusing on our own ministry, and the issues in our own lives.
Take care of yourself. Our bodies are so finely tuned - with the breaths we take and our heartbeats and how our nervous system works - and so many other things with our bones and muscles and brains. We truly are fearfully and wonderfully made. Just as we ensure our cars are 'tuned up', if we want them to run well, we need to do the same with our own lives. Make sure you get enough rest and that you eat well and get enough exercise. This will help you in so many ways. But, most importantly, make sure that you seek God and his provision for your life. When we stray from God's word, we bring so much undue stress and complications on our lives.
For those who are discouraged, let us pray that God will speak to them and help them to overcome the things that are keeping them down. And, let us all seek to serve God in all that we do.
|