Feb. 4, 2008 - Do you ever feel like just giving up?
Sometimes I sure do! Winter blahs, discouragement, feeling overloaded.......all these things can make me feel like just throwing in the towel!The Lord is constantly teaching me perseverance, though. Recently I looked at the life of Elijah in 1 Kings 19. A little background: Elijah had just gone up against the prophets of Baal and the Lord gave him victory! He was able to call down fire from heaven which burned up the offering and showed (1 Kings 18:37-41) God's awesome power! He had the evil prophets of Baal killed and that made Jezebel the wicked queen MAD!! Elijah became afraid and ran for his life!
1 Kings 19:4b tells us that Elijah says "I have had enough, Lord". "Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors. Then he lay down under the tree and fell asleep."
Some things the Lord showed me in this passage:
Elijah forgot who was in control! It is God, not Jezebel! He forgot that the Lord is sovereign and that NOTHING could happen to him except what God allowed.
Even though he just saw the Lord's amazing power and experienced victory, he was plunged to despair. Aren't we just like that? I know I am! The highs and the lows....from the heights to the depths! Seeing God answer prayers and work in my life to wondering "Where are you, Lord? What do you want me to learn in this situation?"
It is very easy to take our eyes off of God and put it on our circumstances! It is easy to throw up our hands and say "I've had enough, Lord!"
BUT:
I also see God's mercy and compassion even when Elijah didn't handle things the right way. He gave him rest, food and helpers! Often when I get so discouraged and feel like giving up, I pick up a load of guilt to go with it! I know I should persevere and feel guilty that I'm not! The Lord is so gracious and compassionate, though! Ready to help us and having pity on us!
The Lord showed himself powerful to Elijah (display of His power: wind, earthquake, fire) but His kindness and gentleness in the whisper is what really stood out to me!
It made me realize yet again that I need to take my burdens to the One who loves me, leave it with Him, and let His awesome power work in and through my life. He is loving, merciful, kind and gentle and we can trust Him to see us through!
Galations 6:9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
A friend recently said "Hold on through the tough times; hold on and don't miss the blessing that comes at the end." There's a lot of wisdom, there!
Comments
Feb. 4, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by suffgrace
Mar. 7, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by JenIG
:)
