Untitled Sermon (3)

Leading on Empty: Refilling Your Tank and Renewing Your Passion Feeling Alone

Depressed, and desiring nothing more than a quick exit from life, Elijah somehow imagined that he was the last godly man on the planet. He felt as if he had no support—even though he had just been part of a fantastic miracle and gained the rousing support of God’s people. He had allowed one evil woman to fill up his whole radar screen and ruin his outlook. But then God shared some information that must have stunned the melancholy prophet:

Yet I will leave 7,000 in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal. (1 Kings 19:18)

God was saying, “I have 7,000 on your side, and you’re letting one person sound like a million.”

Oftentimes—especially when we’re exhausted—we feel as if no one understands. We walk alone, our journey an arduous trudge through the valley of the shadow of death. The walls press in, skies remain leaden and dark, and loneliness dogs our every step.

1 Kings 19:18 NASB95

“Yet I will leave 7,000 in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal and every mouth that has not kissed him.”

February 2, 2021

This is how that I have been feeling recently. I feel the pressure of one individual pressing upon my role as pastor. The struggle has been to trust that others are of encouragement instead of opposition.

It seems that this is a time for individuals to be forceful in their opinions upon others in such a way that people feel bullied.