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“How to Help a Caveman” 1 Kings 19:5-9. AGE OF ANXIETY. Elijah is depressed, discouraged, physically drained and spiritually wiped out. We too have days or periods of times when…our spirit gives way. God met Elijah’s needs and He meets our needs. God Meets Elijah Needs.
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“How to Help a Caveman” 1 Kings 19:5-9
AGE OF ANXIETY Elijah is depressed, discouraged, physically drained and spiritually wiped out. We too have days or periods of times when…our spirit gives way. God met Elijah’s needs and He meets our needs.
God Meets Elijah Needs • God Gives Elijah Comfort and Care (Rest and Relaxation) v.5 • God Gives Elijah Help to Face His Fears v.9 • God Gives Elijah a New Vision of Himself v.11-13 • God Gives Elijah a New Commission v.15-16 • God Gives Elijah a Dose of Reality – Clarity of Truth v.18
1. God Gives Elijah Comfort and Care (Rest and Relaxation) v. 5 • The Lord’s spiritual Advice – “Get up and eat.” • Spiritual Truth – Sometimes we need to work hard and serve the Lord and at other times we need to roll over in bed and get a good night sleep – both are spiritual. • Meets God at Mt. Sinai even as Moses had done earlier.
2. God Gives Elijah Help to Face His Fears v. 9 • Good Question – “What are you doing here Elijah.” • The question is not for God’s benefit, but Elijah’s. • “I am the only one left” – self pity • Self pity is the enemy of all spiritual growth.
3. God Gives Elijah a New Vision of Himself v. 11-13 • A new vision of God speaks to the need of the soul. • When Elijah wallows in self pity – God’s answer is not to put him down, but to reveal more of Himself. • Fire, wind and earthquake remind Elijah that God is God, however • God also speaks in a “gentle whisper” because Elijah needed to experience both the Power of God and the Presence of God.
4. God Gives Elijah a New Commission v. 15-16 • Anoint Hazael King over Aram • Anoint Jehu King over Israel • Anoint Elisha to succeed him as prophet
5. God Gives Elijah a Dose of Reality – Clarity of Truth v. 18 • God reminds Elijah he is not alone. • God is not limited by the smallness of our vision - Elijah was never alone • Elijah had accomplished more than he knew- his life had served at a testimony to 7,000 • Irony – Elijah was not in a position to estimate or determine his own effectiveness and neither are we.
Conclusion • Being dedicated to Jesus doesn’t make us immune from discouragement. • Fatigue can make us susceptible to despair. • We need to invest our energies in others rather than be absorbed by our own pain. • Communion with God is only way to maintain strength for battles. • We need to learn to rest in God’s gracious care.
