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by Sandy Shaw
There are times when we can feel so empty. Life drains us, and that has consequences.
Turn to I Kings Chapter 19 and verses 1to 18 where we read about Elijah – quite a remarkable man, and yet we are told that Elijah was a man just like us – he faced all the various ups and downs of life – life’s emotions and feelings.
The nation of Israel had fallen into moral bankruptcy. There was idol worship big time.
Elijah held a GOD-CONTEST – you pray to your idol – and I will pray to the only GOD there is.
Nothing happens when the BAAL worshippers speak out. Soak the wood – make it a little tougher for me. Read of this incident in 1Kings 18 verses 36 to 38 – the fire came and burned up everything!
The people got so angry with the false prophets that they killed them.
After a high point there comes a low point!
HOW DO I KNOW WHEN MY EMOTIONAL TANK IS EMPTY?
Was Elijah having a blue day – not just a blue day – but a blue period? He had been engaged in a fierce and prolonged spiritual battle – as well as experiencing a period of famine – for which he was responsible. He was a true servant of God, but here he is going through this valley of deep darkness.
He is despondent – overwhelmed – at the end of his tether – he is saying that he has had enough! Verse 4 .
He had this tremendous victory on Mount Carmel – the people of God had repented – 18 verse 39 . Is this not revival? The fire had come down – the rain had come down – two prayers have been answered!
Surely King Ahab would bow down and worship God – 18 verse 46 . NO. NO. This woman Jezebel would not be thwarted. Elijah is a marked and detested man.
Jezebel must have thought that Baal had won – after all he was the weather god – and Ahab returns home drenched in rain!
What happens when I am emotionally drained and feeling not only down, but empty?
1 – FEAR CREEPS INTO MY LIFE . “Elijah was afraid”.
2 – I FIND MYSELF RUNNING AWAY FROM THINGS . “Elijah ran for his life. . .”
3 – I START BACKING OUT OF RELATIONSHIPS – “He left his servant in the town of Beersheba.”
4 – I MAKE FOOLISH DECISIONS IMPULSIVELY – “He walked for a full day into the desert.” He is walking in the wrong direction – and he has no plan.
5 - I PUSH MYSELF PAST MY PHYSICAL LIMITS . I can do more – no, you can’t at times. “Elijah collapsed under some shade.”
6 – MY WORK SEEMS POINTLESS - “‘I’ve worked hard... but I haven’t seen any results or change”. He blamed himself – he took it upon himself – he took it personally. We are not responsible for everything – people have to assume responsibility
7 – I COMPLAIN THAT I WANT TO QUIT and GIVE UP! “God, I have had enough!” You lose your vision – you forfeit your future – you forget your goals.
8 – I FEEL ISOLATED and ATTACKED - “I’m the only one left – and they are trying to kill me too!” There is a problem, but Elijah is exaggerating the problem – 19 verse 18 - there were 7,000 others, who had not gone off the rails. Elijah’s view of reality had been distorted – one woman had thrown him seriously.
9 – I COMPARE MYSELF TO OTHERS and I FEEL BAD ABOUT ME – I am no better than my ancestors! “For I am no better than my ancestors!” Elijah is focusing on his feelings rather than the facts. This happens frequently.
10 – I THINK DEATH MIGHT BRING RELIEF!
“Elijah prayed that he might die: ‘Take my life, Lord! Just let me die!’” “Elijah was a person just like us . . .” James 5:17. Disappointment moves into despondency and then this moves into flight.
Jezebel wants to destroy Elijah’s influence over Ahab – and Elijah’s influence of the people of GOD.
The one thing from which he ran was the one thing with which he could never deal. The flight became paralysis – from Dan to Beersheba – Elijah had run as far south as he could – he is on the border – on the edge of God’s promises.
He left his servant – and went another day’s journey. Is Elijah placing himself outside the sphere of God’s blessing?
The theory is to stay and fight – but that is seldom the way it works out in practice.
Can God refill my drained burned-out empty tank? We will look at how He did it with Elijah next week.
A few days ago, it looked as if this man Elijah could do anything and face anyone! Is he beyond restoration? MARK 14verse 32to 42.
“Loving Jesus – take away any fear in my heart and mind and life – help me never to run away. Enable me to appreciate good friends. Prevent me from making unwise decisions. Show me my physical limits and may I be careful in what I utter when I am down. I pray for those are attacked for their faith – those thousands around this world who are persecuted – Lord Jesus, be near them – may they sense your presence this day. Amen.”
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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