Part 4 | “Getting Out of Spiritual Depression”
Sent by God.
Fed by Ravens and Widows.
Standing for righteousness.
Hated by his world.
These are the phrases that describe the life of Elijah. Yet James says “Elijah was a man with a nature like ours” James 5:17
Can modern-day Christians really learn something from this ancient wild prophet? His story seems out of the realm of possibility and yet he speaks to us in our day louder than ever.
The journey of following Christ will be filled with constant temptations, hostile opinions, and devastating occasions. But God’s still small voice will always lead you home. The key is to learn to listen.
From 1 Kings 19
📖 1 Kings 19:1 (ESV) Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword.
📖 1 Kings 19:2 (ESV) Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So may the gods do to me and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by this time tomorrow.”
📖 1 Kings 19:3 (ESV) Then he was afraid, and he arose and ran for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there.
📖 1 Kings 19:4 (ESV) But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he asked that he might die, saying, “It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.”
📖 James 5:17 (ESV) Elijah was a man with a nature like ours
drowned out all the he had going.
📖 1 Kings 19:5-7 (ESV) And he lay down and slept under a broom tree. And behold, an angel touched him and said to him, “Arise and eat.” 6 And he looked, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. And he ate and drank and lay down again. 7 And the angel of the LORD came again a second time and touched him and said, “Arise and eat, for the journey is too great for you.”
When His the , God .
📖 Psalm 34:18 (ESV) The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.
📖 1 Kings 19:8 (ESV) 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.
📖 1 Kings 19:9 (ESV) 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?
📖 1 Kings 19:10 (ESV) 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.”
📖 1 Kings 19:11-12 (ESV) 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.
📖 1 Kings 19:13 (ESV) 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?”
📖 1 Kings 19:14 (ESV) 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.”
God’s answer to spiritual depression:
1.Return to the place of your in Christ.
📖 1 Kings 18:15 (NLT) Then the LORD told him, “Go back the same way you came, and travel to the wilderness of Damascus. When you arrive there, anoint Hazael to be king of Aram.
Stop rehearsing the of your and start rehearsing the of God’s .
📖 Psalm 139:14 (ESV) I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
📖 Romans 5:20 (ESV) where sin increased, grace abounded all the more,
📖 Psalm 138:7 (ESV) Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life;… your right hand delivers me.
📖 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (ESV) (the Father) comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
God’s answer to spiritual depression:
2. His purpose your own needs and wants.
📖 1 Kings 19:15b (ESV) 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.
God’s answer to spiritual depression:
3. God’s plan.
📖 1 Kings 19:17-18 (ESV) 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.”
The needed to , , and him of GOD’S is the we all need.
📖 Matthew 17:1-3 (ESV) And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. 3 And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him.
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