A Spiritual Drop-Out
I Kings 19:1-12
FROM a true spiritual standpoint the unusual events of this familiar chapter presents one of the saddest stories and all of the Bible. And yet a story with which all here can identify.
Here one of histories most faithful and fearless prophets becomes discouraged and flees for his life… Because a wicked woman by the name of Jezebel threatening to kill him.
In fact… This is the chapter that tells how Elijah… The great miracle worker and mover of men becomes a spiritual dropout.
In verse 4 of 1Kings 19- we are told that Elijah went a day’s journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, it is enough; now, o Lord, take away my life; for I am no better than my fathers.
I’m sure that many present today can identify with elijah in his hour of despondency.
And the reason I’m so sure that someone needs this message is because Bible history and human experience records the tragedies of many good and great men who became discouraged and gave up…
At this point let me remind us that discouragement (in itself) is not a sin.
however it will rob us of all victory and usefulness for God… Unless we quickly rise above it… through fellowship and communion with God.
In fact there is nothing in all the world that will cause a Christian to stumble and fall any quicker than will discouragement.
But I’m happy to announce that God always gives help with victory to those who want it.
in 2nd Corinthians 4 Paul testifies of a victory over doubt and fear and discouragement.
2 Corinthians 4:8-10 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;10Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.
2 Corinthians 4:15-1615For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.16For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
So victory over discouragement only comes to the Christian who is being renewed in the inner man every moment of every day.
Here in 1Kings 19 the Bible records the sad and tragic experience of what can and sometimes does happen to even the most devout follower of God.
1st of all contrary to what one might imagine:
Discouragement and despair does come
to even the greatest and most faithful followers of Christ–
in verses 3 and 4 note how Elijah responds to Jezebel threat-
1 Kings 19:3-4 3. And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongeth 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 juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.
no one ever seems to surprised when the new Christian gets discouraged or goes back on God.
But when a prophet or preacher or spiritual leader it’s discouraged or falls… We are shocked and stunned beyond words.
And yet we must all realize that a prophet or preacher is no different from anyone else.
No one is exempt from discouragement!
So in spite of the fact that Elijah was one of the greatest spiritual giants of all time…
And in spite of the fact that he had just experienced one of the most remarkable victories recorded in all of the Bible…
He still became discouraged and temporarily became what we might call a spiritual dropout.
You say but why would such a story be recorded in the Bible?
This story is recorded in the word of God to remind you in me that loneliness, and discouragement, and spiritual backsliding, comes to all of us somewhere- sometime.
In fact both Scripture and Christian biography bear ample testimony that at one time or another some of the Bible’s greatest Christians yielded to this common spiritual weakness.
In Psalms 55:6 listen to David -O that i had the wings of a Dove for then would I fly away and be at rest:
in other words because of discouragement… David wanted to get away from it all!
Have you ever wanted to get away from it all? If you are normal you have!
In Jeremiah 9:2, listen to the weeping prophet.
Oh that I had in the wilderness, a lodging place that I might leave my people and go from them.
Trust me that happens to all men of God at some time in their life.
Then in Jonah 4:3 notice how another Old Testament preacher responds to discouragement. Therefore now award take him beseech thee my life from me for it is better for me to die than to live.
So after carefully examining the passages I find 2 main differences between Jeremiah, Jonah, David , Elijah.. and you and me.
First of all these men willingly admitted their spiritual weakness and shortcoming. whereas most of us are ashamed to acknowledge that we are hurting somewhere.
We are simply too proud to admit that we are lonely and discouraged or ready to give up and drop out.
and The 2nd main difference is that these men did their best to keep others from being affected or offended by their despondecy.
they tried to get alone with God to vent their feelings and unburden their heart!
elijah went a day’s journey into the wilderness... away from even his servant to let out his feeling.
Jeremiah wanted a solitary place were no mortal eye for human ear could witness his spiritual despondency.
Jonah ran outside of the city to express his disappointment and discouragement.
and David asked for the wings of a Dove in order to fly far into the heavens to unburden his soul… And talk to God.
But oh how unlike these men most of us are!
Instead of sharing our discouragement with God alone..usually we share it with everybody around us until we transmit our deadly virus to a dozen others.
Oh, that like these 4 old testament men, we can realize the deadly contagion of spiritual discouragement.
And that we would also be reminded that the joy of the Lord and holy enthusiasm is also highly contagious… And if we are determined to transmit something to others… We impart to them the holy joy of a genuine first love.
Now... according to this sad story..
when did Elijah succumb to this, and common temptation and influence?
It came at a time of unprecedented victory and unparalleled opportunity.
1. at the brook of Cherith he had been fed by the ravens
2. his cruise of oil never ran dry
3. and there on mount caramel God answered his prayers- consumed his sacrifice and turned a whole nation back toward Jehovah.
And yet in spite of them these many miracles, and the daily manifestation of God’s unfailing presence and power, Elijah flees for his life… Sits down to pout… And, for the moment becomes a spiritual dropout.
Beloved… Are we any less guilty or more exemplary than Elijah? I don’t think so.
So, before God could lift him from despondency… And restore him into the full fellowship , Elijah had to come to the end of all human resource and reasoning.
And he had to turn his eyes and his ears and his heart back toward God.
And so must we!
Multitudes had been touched by the courage and devotion of this great man... but before he could bear a holy influence for God again, he had to get victory over his cowardice… And have the joy of the Lord restored to his heart.
Christian ..you may have brought blessing and help to others in the past.. but if today you are walking in defeat or living out of victory- before you can ever be used of God again you must be lifted from discouragement and spiritual defeat.
How can victory be regained and how can we again become useful to God?
By doing the same thing Elijah did… by getting along with God and listening to the voice of his Holy Spirit.
While in that cave of dejection and despair we are told in verse 9: “that the word of the lord came unto Elijah and said unto him what are you doing here and why are you discouraged?
That day as he stood in the mouth of the cave:
1–the mighty wind that rent the mountain was insufficient to touch his trouble defeated spirit.
2–the great earthquake that shook the whole mountain failed to erase his despondency.
3–and even the consuming fire that burned up all vegetation failed to lift the dark shadows of discouragement and defeat.
What then touched his stony heart and awakened his defeated, spirit?
The same thing that will turn your life around… And make of you a useful, fruitful vessel for God again.
The still small quite tender voice of God!
Personally I believe that God has something important and transforming to say to all of us.
But we must first–turn our attention away from the shadows and circumstances around us…
And Tune our ears to the divine frequency of the still small voice of God.
God wants to remind you that he loves you and will forgive you… And restore you. and he will become in us a beautiful fragrant holy marvel.
Like Elijah… Get quite before God and meet him today and at an altar of prayer.
Let’s pray!
