Elijah: A Man In Depression (1 Kings 19:8-18, 1 Peter 2:1-10)
Rev. William L. Barron, May 30, 2021Part of the Morning Worship at North Greenville Church series, preached at a Sunday Morning service
Elijah was on the run from Jezebel, despairing of his life. God provides for him. He flees to Horeb; God asks him what he is doing there. What is depression? Losing sight of God's reality. Everything gets distorted. There are some factors that bring it on: fatigue, isolation, consistent opposition, our emotions, dashed expectations, guilt and pride (or self love). All can lead to depression. How do we overcome depression? God provided Elijah with food, rest and guidance. Dale Ralph Davis says that God is leading Elijah out of depression. God asked, "Why are you in this mental state?" Because the people have rejected God. Elijah makes a legal case against Israel. God is really asking, "Why have I brought you here, in Judah?" The forty days reminds of the 40 years of the disobedient Hebrews in the wilderness. At Horeb, God met with Moses in a special way. On Mount Transfiguration, Moses and Elijah were there together. They are linked. Moses interceded for his people. Elijah heard God in a still, small voice, not in thunderings and earthquakes as with Moses. God said that Elijah's case was true. He was going to bring covenantal judgment upon Israel. Elijah was the instrument to anoint the bringers of judgment. Where do we find the voice of God? Before the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, the U.S. had many indications that Japan was going to attack. We think that if God is going to speak, it will be in unavoidable ways. We should, however, listen for the small voice in the Bible, sermons, Sunday School lessons, and so forth. God is always faithful and powerfully sovereign. He is leading to the return of Jesus Christ. He provides all our needs. We must be content in the Word of God. God said Elijah was not alone, and neither are we. We must not be worried when we see great movements of evil. God is in control. In communion we see God's judgment on Jesus, who died for our sins, not His.
| Earlier: | Same day: | Later: |
|---|---|---|
| « Elijah: A Man Of Fear | None | Elijah: A Man And His Successor » |
1 Kings 19:8–18 (Listen)
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.
9 There he came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 10 He said, “I have been very jealous for the LORD, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” 11 And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the LORD.” And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 12 And after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. 13 And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 14 He said, “I have been very jealous for the LORD, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” 15 And the LORD said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus. And when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael to be king over Syria. 16 And Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint to be king over Israel, and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint to be prophet in your place. 17 And the one who escapes from the sword of Hazael shall Jehu put to death, and the one who escapes from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha put to death. 18 Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.”
(ESV)
1 Peter 2:1–10 (Listen)
2:1 So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. 2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation—3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.
4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For it stands in Scripture:
“Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone,
a cornerstone chosen and precious,
and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”
7 So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe,
“The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone,”
8 and
“A stone of stumbling,
and a rock of offense.”
They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.
9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
(ESV)