Responding to Discouragement
1 Kings 19
Neil Schindler
July 3, 2022
Elijah’s discouraging situation: Jezebel’s death threat (v1-4)
The context: Elijah’s recent great “success” on Mt. Carmel
What might explain Elijah’s drastic response to Jezebel’s threat?
Elijah’s desperate “it is enough” prayer: Humility, or resignation?
God’s gracious responses to encourage Elijah’s weary soul (v5-21)
1) Miraculous provision of food and drink via an angel
2) Reassurance of still having God’s fatherly, caring ear
3) A gentle whisper amid his show of power
4) God’s loving recommissioning and correction
Why would God and Elijah repeat the same words again?
God’s grace in recommissioning us—“it’s not enough, yet!”
God’s correction as encouragement—his work’s fullness (7,000)
WEEKLY REFLECTIONS
1. Like Elijah, have you ever had a great spiritual “success” followed immediately by an ice-water-in-your-face discouragement, reminding you that your triumph wasn’t as absolute as you had expected? How did it make you feel? How did you respond to God?
2. Read 2 Corinthians 12:2-10. Why do you think God often allows us to experience the great discouragement of “thorns in the flesh,” even those that make us ready to “quit and throw in the proverbial towel” on God?
3. Have you ever had a rash, discouraged-driven prayer request which you are now glad God didn’t answer (like Elijah in 1 Kings 19:4)? How does recalling this make you thankful, given how things are now?
4. Do you find it difficult to listen for God’s voice? Why? How do you discern between his voice and your own heart’s voice “projecting itself” as God’s? How might we help to encourage each other listen better for God’s voice, whether he is speaking through a proverbial whirlwind or a gentle whisper? (note: Psalm 37:23-24, Psalm 46, Psalm 103:13-14)
5. Read Romans 11:1-5, where Paul quotes from 1 Kings 19 to prove that God never rejects his people. How might this reminder of God guarding his “remnant chosen by grace” help you when you feel you’ve failed him, or that you’re all alone in seeking to serve him?
6. An interesting fact about Elijah post-1 Kings 19: He failed to fulfill the rest of God’s mission to anoint Jehu and Hazael (1 Kings 19:15-16); Elisha did instead (2 Ki. 8-9). How might this fact—that God always gets his mission done—encourage your heart, if you are prone to worry about your future and your likelihood of failure?