God Is Our Hope

1 Kings 19:1–8 (ESV)

1 Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. 2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So may the gods do to me and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by this time tomorrow.” 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.” 6 And he looked, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. And he ate and drank and lay down again. 7 And the angel of the Lord came again a second time and touched him and said, “Arise and eat, for the journey is too great for you.” 8 And he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of God.

Introduction:

As we continue our study today on the life of Elijah, we are faced with a reality many believers sometimes neglect, which is that every now and then even the strongest of believers find themselves struggling with depression, hurt and exhaustion.

There moments life can throw things at us unexpectedly and sometimes difficulties can gradually appear and accost us.

Elijah finds himself in a tough predicament. He is in a low place in life and feels overwhelmed with it all. Elijah wants to give up! Yes this is the same guy who was victorious on Mount Carmel. Somehow after a great triumph in his life he finds himself in a valley anguish, weakness and discouragement.

But isn’t life like that? Just when we have made a leap and a step, somehow someway we can find ourselves in a slump and weakness. I hope this message helps you today to see how God is our hope and that God provides strength in our weakness.

BI: God provides strength for us in our weakness.

Transition: The text today provide for us a few encouraging considerations when we are dealing with stress and difficulties in our lives. The first encouragement . . .

God Provides Hope When We Deal with Difficult People. (vv.1-3)

1 Kings 19:1-3 “1 Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. 2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So may the gods do to me and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by this time tomorrow.” 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.”

Jezebel is a wicked queen who threatens Elijah with death after hearing from King Ahab that Elijah has slaughtered all the prophets of Baal. She is angry because Elijah has made a fool of her and the idol she worships.

Jezebel promises Elijah that she is going to kill him. She has not been persuaded that God is the true God. She wants to kill the man who has proven that Baal is not alive and that the prophets of Baal are useless.

Elijah is disheartened and discouraged. Here is a guy who just stood against a King and over 400 men and showed that his God is real and faithful. Even with this victory, Elijah still finds himself afraid and fretful. He runs because he has some human part of him that tells him that trouble is coming and you need to hide.

Application: Challenging and difficult people appear in many forms and variant times of our life. The person who seeks to destroy you and your reputation, the person who is a user, the jealous hearted and envious person, the liar, the person who finds new ways to discredit you and put you down, the know it all, and the person who complains about everything. your life is not exempt from having some difficult people in it. Don’t give up on God because you have some challenging people in your life. God is bigger and badder than your worst enemy. Continue to trust God. Pray for those who mistreat you. Call there name and ask God to bless them.

Transition: Here is the next encouragement . . .

God Provides Hope When We Are in A Desperate Place

1 Kings 19:4 “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.”

Elijah gets to a point of depression and despondency. He has begun to doubt his own value and wishes he is no longer alive.

The text says he leaves his servant behind and travels another day's journey into a wilderness. He finds a broom tree and hides under the tree. Look at what he does. He tells God; the same God who has fed him, kept him, and answered him that he no longer is up to the tasks. Just kill me. I’m done! Needless to say this is not an acceptable way Elijah should face his problems and frustrations. Elijah proves that even as a believers and people of God sometimes we get desperate and depressed.

Application: How do you handle your low and heavy moments? See as believers we must come to the realization that we will face trouble. When we are desperate and feel hopeless, don't give into despair. There are some things you cannot handle on your own and need to remind yourself of that. Remember that even when life is tough that God is faithful. You have been dealing with illness and pain, discomfort, and affliction for some time now. Look don't give up because God hasn't given up. Trust God by reminding yourself that God has been with you all your life. Think of the other moments that God brought you through. Has he stopped??

Transition: The final encouragement we find in the text is:

God will provide strength for the journey (vv.5-8)

1 Kings 19:5-8 “5 And he lay down and slept under a broom tree. And behold, an angel touched him and said to him, “Arise and eat.” 6 And he looked, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. And he ate and drank and lay down again. 7 And the angel of the Lord came again a second time and touched him and said, “Arise and eat, for the journey is too great for you.” 8 And he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of God.”

God reminds Elijah that he is not alone. Even in Elijah’s depression he has the benefit of experiencing the comfort and presence of God. Here again in the life of Elijah we find God providing him with sustenance. When we first met Elijah we see the provisions sent from God through a Raven and a widow. Now, God sends an angel and has food already cooked and water to drink. God is giving Elijah what he needs in this time of struggle. Elijah eats and sleep but again the angel awakens him and provides nourishment and orders to keep moving.

See, God is reassuring Elijah that he is not alone. God wants Elijah to also realize that his work is not done. That’s right God is telling Elijah you don’t get a free pass because it got tough for you. I am still here and I have not released you from your assignment. Elijah you are not alone I am your strength. This is not over I have your back.

Get up and get going! Don’t worry about Jezebel, Ahab or anyone else. Get up and go I am with you. I am with you and I am your strength.

Illustration: John Wesley came down for breakfast in a melancholy mood. He was miserable. Sensing the situation, Mrs. Wesley went upstairs, dressed in black, and came down to join him. “Who is dead?” Wesley asked. “God,” she replied. “Oh, no!” he said. Mrs. Wesley responded, “I thought so, from your countenance and conduct.”

G. Curtis Jones, 1000 Illustrations for Preaching and Teaching (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1986), 142.

Application: I don’t know who I am talking to today but I stopped here to remind you that God will sustain you. You are struggling with heartache but God is still with you. It is not over God is with you. Maybe you have decided that nobody cares about you and you are alone in this world. I stopped to tell you that that is not true. God loves you, how do I know that? Because You are right here right now. It is not over for you. God is still near. You are not going to find fulfilment on facebook, tik tok, Instagram but you will find it in serving the Lord. God purposed you and me and it is not until we walk in His purpose and desire for our life that we will experience real joy. Quitting is not an option. Giving up is not the option. throwing in the towel is not an option. Get up and do what God requires. Pray, read His Word, serve in the church faithfully and watch God strengthen you!

Conclusion:

Just as God provided hope and strength for Elijah in his wilderness, so does God do the same for you and me now through the work of Jesus Christ.

For it is through the death burial and resurrection of Jesus we have hope. We gain eternal life, that is all who believe in Him.

John 16:33 ESV

33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

John 14:27 ESV

27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

1 John 5:4–5 (ESV)

4 For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

My hope is built on nothing less then Jesus Christ and His Righteousness. . .