That's It!

“That’s it! I’ve had it! I quit!” Have you ever said such things? Have you ever felt such emotions regarding a particular situation in life? Even among the best of God’s servants such words have been uttered.

Note what the prophet Elijah said as he was fleeing from King Ahab’s wife.
“(3) Then he was afraid, and he arose and ran for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there. (4) But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he asked that he might die, saying, ‘IT IS ENOUGH; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.’ (5) And he lay down and slept under a broom tree. And behold, an angel touched him and said to him, ‘Arise and eat.’” ( 1 Kings 19:3-5 ESV)

Elijah was down! He seems to have been struck by an exhaustive sense of depression. Wickedness in Israel was rampant. Here he was, God’s messenger, but who was listening? The king on the throne, Ahab, was the worst of Israel’s history. Ahab’s wife, Jezebel, had a real mean streak that seemed unrelenting. Baal was being worshipped rather than God. Elijah was ready to quit. What could save him from his state of depression. Had he lost faith in God? I think, more than anything, he had lost faith in people. Have we been there?

God sent an angel to encourage Elijah. (vs.5-8) Then God told him to go out and stand on the mountain and the Lord would pass by. (vs.11) The message Elijah eventually received was a reminder he was not alone. There were seven thousand in Israel who had not worshipped Baal. (vs.18)

There are situations, trials of various sorts, which can really get us down. When we feel like we have had enough, we too may need to separate ourselves from the situation for a moment; up on “the mountain” to think things through clearly. There are times we also need to be reminded there are others who are still faithful to God. Spend time with them. Be a part of encouraging each other. Yes, there is much wrong in this world, but not everything and everyone is involved in it. May we keep looking to God for encouragement and strength to keep pressing on in His service.

Have a great day PRESSING ON WITH GOD’S WORK!
Carl

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[This focus was originally sent 08/24/2001 (Edited some with passage changed to ESV)]

See other teEn-MAIL on Encouragement