Dear People of God,
Have you ever felt discouraged? Have you felt so discouraged that you were ready to quit? That kind of discouragement manifests itself in many ways. Maybe you get discouraged over the epetitiveness of your work at home, or at your workplace. “Discouragement is a common feeling that prompts many people to ask, What can I do when I am so discouraged, I feel like giving up?” Take Elijah, the prophet of God, for instance. In 1 Kings 18 Elijah confronted the prophets of Baal in a showdown on Mount Carmel concerning who was the greatest, God or Baal. In an amazing show of power, God proved his reality and strength. Elijah had faced the prophets of Baal and had unmistakably destroyed them- both spiritually and physically. Then God sent a rain that broke the drought in the land.
Ahab, king of Israel, told his wife, Jezebel, who was largely responsible for the introduction of Baal worship into the land, what had happened. She threatened the life of Elijah. Elijah became discouraged and ran. He ran south to Beersheba, where he left his servant. Then he went a day's journey farther into the wilderness, sat down under a juniper tree, and asked God to take his life.But in that time of great discouragement, when the prophet wanted to give up, he was met by God, ministered by God, and motivated by God. His experience can give us some help and assurance when we get discouraged. 1. The Cause of discouragement: thinking about self, not about God. The cause of Elijah's discouragement was that he was thinking about himself, not about God. Even after the great show of God's power on Mount Carmel, Elijah was concerned with Jezebel's threat. Elijah did not know his future. After what he had done for God, he expected recognition and position; instead, he received a threat against his life. 2. The Cure for discouragement: trusting in God, not in self. Elijah went to Mount Horeb to find God. He found God in the 'still small voice' (1 Kings. 19:12).
Elijah received a new understanding of God. He had looked for God only in the evidences of power, but God came to him instead in a 'gentle whisper'. 1 Kings. 19: 15- 16 outlines the tasks that God assigned Elijah. Discouragement is overcome by doing something for God's honour. Let us be encouraged by God.Hope in God is the solution for not being discouraged.
Rev. Aby K Thomas
Mobile: 9594072145 / 9744349381
Email: presbyter.sanpadajmc@gmail.com