The days of elijah (part 5)

Introduction
• How often have you faced DISAPPOINTMENT?
Discouragement? DESPAIR? At one time or
another, every HUMAN being faces
DISAPPOINTMENT. And most of us have felt
discouraged at some point in our lives. Sometimes
a person’s DESPAIR can be so deep that he or
she LOSES HEART and FEELS utterly
HOPELESS. Under the weight and burden of
DESPAIR, the person’s heart begins to FAINT and
to sense TOTAL DEFEAT. Such feelings can lead
to long periods of DEPRESSION and can even
lead to suicide. One of the strongest men to ever
SERVE GOD, the prophet ELIJAH, was gripped by
a SPIRIT of DISCOURAGEMENT and DESPAIR.
In the GREATNESS of his MINISTRY, he had to
LEARN to DEAL with DISCOURAGEMENT and
DESPAIR.

Introduction
• We will encounter DISCOURAGEMENT and
DESPAIR in LIFE and MINISTRY in order to TEST
our STRENGTH and PERSEVERANCE. Proverbs
24:10 says, “If you faint in the day of adversity,
your strength is small”. The word “STRENGTH”
(koach) means “FIRMNESS, vigor, CAPACITY,
substance”. TRIALS reveal a person’s
STRENGTH. Note TRIALS- at times- may
OVERWHELM us, resulting in the DIMINISHING
of our STRENGTH. In that day we must learn to
pray, “Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer;
from the end of the earth I call to You when my
heart is faint (overwhelmed). Lead me to the rock
that is higher than I” (Psalm 61:1-2).

Introduction
• The LORD is the STRENGTH of His people
(Exodus 15:2; Psalm 18:2; 27:1; 28:7;
118:14; Isaiah 12:2; Habakkuk 3:19). His
PRESENCE, POWER, LOVE, and
SALVATION meets our NEED and
DELIVERS us from and through every TRIAL
and the SPIRIT of DISCOURAGEMENT and
DESPAIR. Infusing us to CONQUER these
crises in life, the LORD will SAVE us,
NURTURE us, EMPOWER us, and
REASSIGN us to COMPLETE the WORK
and MINISTRY of the KINGDOM of GOD.

When Zeal Meets Despair
• Fueled with a PASSION for TRUE
REVIVAL and BURNING with a ZEAL for
GOD, ELIJAH was eager to TURN the
HEARTS of the people BACK to the LORD
God (1 Kings 18:37). The PROPHETIC
MINISTRY of ELIJAH is to TURN the
HEARTS of the FATHERS back to the
HEARTS of the CHILDREN and the
CHILDREN’S HEARTS back to their
FATHERS’ HEARTS (Malachi 4:5-6). This
prophecy will be discussed at length later.

• Remember ELIJAH had just confronted and
CHALLENGED the PROPHETS of Baal to a
contest (1 Kings 18:17-40). The LORD God sent
FIRE from HEAVEN to CONSUME the
SACRIFICE that Elijah had prepared. In the wake
of this demonstration that exposes Baal as a false
god, the Israelites reaffirm their faith in the LORD
as God, and ELIJAH SLAYS all the PROPHETS of
BAAL. Elijah, by his own testimony, was “very
zealous for the LORD, the God of hosts” (1 Kings
19:10). He was POSSESSED by a ZEAL for the
LORD that would NOT TOLERATE the presence
of JEZEBEL leading the people away from God
and polluting with Baal and Asherah worship.

• Also remember that in answer to ELIJAH’S
PRAYER, the LORD sent a DOWNPOUR
of RAIN upon the EARTH ending a 3½
year drought (1 Kings 18:41-46). The
closing scene of this chapter showed
AHAB and his CHARIOT rushing back to
JEZREEL, with ELIJAH out RUNNING the
CHARIOT to the entrance of the city (v.
46). It was UNDENIABLE; the LORD was
WITH ELIJAH. He felt the STRENGTH and
POWER and PRESENCE of the LORD
God in his life.

• Now note what happened. AHAB rushed in to tell
JEZEBEL about the spectacular EVENTS that
had just happened (1 Kings 19:1). In an accusing
tone, he blamed Elijah for killing all the prophets
(v. 1). Neither the king nor the queen was moved
to repent by the spectacular demonstration of
God’s power. They were NOT ready to REPENT,
not ready to turn from their wicked behavior and
false worship. As a matter of fact, JEZEBEL was
NOT IMPRESSED. Upon hearing the report, she
sent messengers to Elijah stating, “So may the
gods do to me and even more, if I do not make
your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow
about this time” (v. 2).

• For some reason, at this point Elijah’s
COURAGE, BOLDNESS, and ZEAL FAILED
him. DESPAIR, FEAR and INTIMIDATION
from Jezebel suddenly gripped his heart. He
knew what she did to the other prophets, now
she was determined to destroy him. ELIJAH
did not hang around to give JEZEBEL the
opportunity to carry out her threat. HE RAN
for his life. He was evidently still in the city of
Jezreel as she was (1 Kings 18:46) when he
received her threat. It is remarkable that
JEZEBEL’S THREAT TERRIFIED ELIJAH as
it did.

• Note ELIJAH had just DEMONSTRATED by
the CONTEST of FIRE that the LORD is
GOD and that the gods of JEZEBEL, to
whom she now appealed in her curse, had
NO POWER at all. Evidently, ELIJAH’S
FEAR sprang from the POWER and
POSITION and INFLUENCE that JEZEBEL
possessed. Rather than RESTING IN GOD
and/or TRUSTING GOD for protection as he
had for the past 3½ years, ELIJAH RAN for
his LIFE. He ran all the way into the
Kingdom of Judah to the southernmost town
in the land, Beersheba.

• Still FEARFUL that he might be discovered by
Jezebel’s spies, he told his SERVANT to STAY
BEHIND and he TRAVELED alone one more
DAY’S JOURNEY (about 15 miles) into the Negev
desert (1 Kings 19:3). Finally, he SAT down under
a BROOM TREE (a desert bush that grows to a
height of 12 feet and provides some, though not
much, shade) and RESTED (v. 4). He was so
DISCOURAGED he PRAYED that he might DIE
that night (v. 4). Elijah had FORGOTTEN the
LESSONS that God had been teaching him at
Cherith, Zarephath, and Carmel. His EYES were
on his CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES rather than
on his HISTORY with the LORD.

• His statement that he was “no better than his
ancestors” (v. 4) suggests that he was NO MORE
SUCCESSFUL than his FOREFATHERS in ousting
Baal-worship from Israel. Exhausted and
discouraged, Elijah laid down and prayed for death.
Falling asleep, he was AWAKENED by the TOUCH of
the ANGEL of the LORD (v. 5). This ANGEL had
PREPARED freshly BAKED BREAD on hot stones
and a JAR of WATER for him to eat and drink, which
he invited Elijah to consume (v. 6). This he did and
returned to his rest (v. 6). This is the THIRD TIME that
was MIRACULOUSLY FED. In his life, ELIJAH was
FED by: (1) The RAVENS (30-fold) (1 Kings 17:6); (2)
The WOMAN (60-fold) (1 Kings 17:9); and now (3)
The ANGEL of the LORD (100-fold) (1 Kings 19:5-6).

•Again the ANGEL of the LORD
TOUCHED ELIJAH, perhaps after he
had slept for some time, and urged him
to EAT MORE FOOD since the
JOURNEY before him would require
MUCH ENERGY (1 Kings 19:7). Moses
and the Israelites had traveled in that
wilderness for 40 YEARS, sustained by
the MANNA God had provided for them
and learned lessons of His faithful care
and provision (Exodus 16:1-35).

• Now Elijah would traverse the same desert
for 40 DAYS and NIGHTS, sustained by the
BREAD God provided and would learn the
same lessons (1 Kings 19:8). A direct trip
from BEERSHEBA to MOUNT HOREB (the
ancient name for Mount Sinai) would have
taken ELIJAH only about 14 DAYS on foot
(a distance of 200 miles). Note MOUNT
HOREB (Mount Sinai) was the very PLACE
where GOD had REVEALED HIMSELF to
MOSES and ISRAEL and where He had
entered into a covenant with them (Exodus
19; 24).

What Are You Doing Here?
• Arriving at one of the MOUNTAINS in the Sinai
range ELIJAH found a CAVE, hiding himself; he
took REFUGE in it (1 Kings 19:9). Note ELIJAH did
what the OTHERS whom JEZEBEL threatened to
KILL, they HIDE in CAVES; he HIDE in a CAVE.
There he received a REVELATION from the LORD
God. The LORD asked him, “What are you doing
here, Elijah?” (v. 9) Note the LORD had NOT SENT
him there as He had directed him to other places (1
Kings 17:3,9; 18:1). So, ELIJAH was THERE
because of FEAR (1 Kings 19:3). ELIJAH’S
RESPONSE revealed that he FELT completely
ALONE and DEFENSELESS against the UNGODLY
FORCES that threatened to overpower him (v. 14).

• FEAR and DISCOURAGEMENT caused him to
SEE only the DARK side. He sensed FAILURE
in spite of his being ZEALOUS, killing the
prophets of Baal, fire from heaven, and an
abundance of rain. Standing on the
MOUNTAINSIDE outside the CAVE, ELIJAH
witnessed what Moses had seen in those
mountains centuries before (Exodus 19:16-18)
and what he himself had seen on Mount
Carmel only a few days earlier (1 Kings
18:38,45), namely, the GLORY of the LORD
demonstrated in the WIND, an EARTHQUAKE,
and FIRE (1 Kings 19:11-14).

• But on this occasion the LORD was NOT in
ANY of these, that is, they were just
demonstrations of His power. After all these,
the LORD spoke to ELIJAH in a GENTLE
WHISPER (v. 13). Recognizing this as the
MANIFEST PRESENCE of GOD, ELIJAH
covered his FACE with his MANTLE and
walked to the MOUTH of the CAVE.
Standing before the LORD, once again, God
asked, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” (v.
13) The REPLY of ELIJAH was the SAME
as earlier (v. 10). He felt LONELY and
DEFENSELESS.

• The LORD told ELIJAH to COME OUT of
HIDING. As long as he was HIDING, he was
NOT EXECUTING the ANOINTING. The LORD
told ELIJAH to LEAVE there, to GO BACK the
WAY he came (i.e., through Israel) to
DAMASCUS (1 Kings 19:15). The LORD gave
him THREE ASSIGNMENTS: to ANOINT
HAZAEL as KING of the Arameans in Damascus
(v. 15), to ANOINT JEHU as KING of Israel (v.
16), and to ANOINT ELISHA from Abel Meholah
(v. 16) as his own successor. Through these
THREE MEN of GOD, the LORD would
complete the PURGE of BAAL worship that
ELIJAH had begun.

• This means that the ANOINTING on ELIJAH was
so HEAVY that it was to be DIVIDED among
these THREE MEN. Unfortunately, ELIJAH only
ANOINTED ELISHA directly. ELISHA, his
protégé, ANOINTED HAZAEL (2 Kings 8:7-14)
and JEHU (2 Kings 9:1-3). Inquiry, was Elijah
afraid to anoint what he feared? Elijah’s fear had
distorted his perspective of reality, causing him
to think he was all alone in his struggle. The
LORD God gently SPOKE to ELIJAH to
EMPOWER him and REASSIGN him to ministry.
His encounter with God BROKE the FEAR of
Jezebel off of his life. From this point on he
never ran from Jezebel again.

Don’t Hide The Anointing!
• One of the greatest challenges facing the
Body of Christ today is how to deal with
the powerful influence of the JEZEBEL
SPIRIT that is so pervasive throughout
the land. Part of the difficulty stems from
the fact that this same spirit has gained a
foothold within the Church. Acquiescence,
toleration, and inattention on the part of
many have allowed the enemy to sneak
into the camp and cause strife, division,
and confusion.

• The JEZEBEL SPIRIT ATTACKS
relationships, finances, health, and
reputation. Because it SEEKS TO KILL or
CUT OFF the influence of the true prophetic
voice, the JEZEBEL SPIRIT lies behind
much of the current epidemic of silencing the
VOICE of GOD in the earth. Under the sway
of the JEZEBEL SPIRIT, a church loses its
vision and vitality, becoming sidetracked
from its mission of proclaiming the gospel of
JESUS Christ and focusing instead on
secondary issues.

•The JEZEBEL SPIRIT is working to gain
preeminence in the segments of society
that are the most influential: the
entertainment industry, the media, the
educational system, and the family.
JEZEBEL IS AFTER OUR CHILDREN,
to snuff out an entire generation and
prevent the transfer of godly heritage,
values, and principles. The nations are in
deep trouble, but there is hope.

• ELIJAH APPEARED in his day to
CONFRONT, EXPOSE, and DESTROY
JEZEBEL. His INFLUENCE gave rise to
ELISHA, a spiritual son with a “DOUBLE
PORTION” anointing, and to JEHU, a HOLY
WARRIOR whose passion for God burned like
a cleansing fire, and to HAZAEL, a KING who
looked different and was not an Israelite but
fought for the LORD. In the same way GOD
RAISES up “ELIJAHS”, He is RAISING up
“ELISHAS”, and “JEHUS”, and yes,
“HAZAELS” in every generation to do BATTLE
with JEZEBEL and her systems.

• The SPIRIT of ELIJAH is ALIVE in the land, rising up
in the hearts of more and more believers, a spirit that
declares “NO TOLERATION!” for JEZEBEL’S
INFLUENCE. “NO TOLERATION” for the
PROPHETS of BAAL- the New Age gurus, the priests
of pluralism and neo-paganism, and the sages of
secularism and humanism! NO TOLERATION” for the
purveyors of filth, immorality, and godlessness who
flood the homes and minds of much of the world
through television, music, and movies! GOD WANTS
TO SAVE them, but HE also WANTS TO DESTROY
the demonic spirit that controls them and infects
millions of people, particularly young people. The
HOLY SPIRIT wants to CLEANSE the MIND and
invade them with a new breed of godly influences.

• GOD is ZEALOUS to DESTROY the
WORKS of JEZEBEL in the land, and He
will begin by PURIFYING HIS own
HOUSE first. He is SEARCHING the
HEARTS and MINDS of believers for any
attitude or mind-set that tolerates the spirit
of Jezebel, anything that opens the door
to manipulation, control, and rebellion.
God is saying to His children, “I am going
to break that spirit off of your life. I will not
tolerate Jezebel any longer”.

• God is RISING to DESTROY the influence
of Jezebel in the land. He is urging those of
kindred spirit to arise with Him, those of the
“ELIJAH GENERATION”, who boldly cry
out, “O LORD… today let it be known that
You are God… that this people may know
that You are God, and that You have
turned their heart back again” (1 Kings
18:36-37). COME OUT of HIDING!
JEZEBEL must be DESTROYED!

Conclusion
• Experiencing DISCOURAGEMENT and DESPAIR
are EMOTIONS that we all face from time to time.
Even LOSING HEART and RUNNING AWAY from
the LORD will often plague our lives. The LIFE and
MINISTRY of ELIJAH remind us that often
SUCCESS and ZEAL will collide with DESPAIR and
DISCOURAGEMENT. It is during those moments
that we experience the LOVE and GRACE of the
LORD. He will SAVE us, NURTURE us, EMPOWER
us, and REASSIGN us to COMPLETE the WORK
and MINISTRY of the KINGDOM of GOD. He will
ENCOURAGE and RECHALLENGE us to FULFILL
the assigned task. His LOVE will REINVIGORATE
us with a RENEWED PURPOSE in order to
continue ministering.

Conclusion
• God met Elijah’s need and He will meet
our need also. For no matter what we
experience, God never leaves us alone.
He is always present to encourage us
and to guide us as we walk step-by-step.
The LORD promised, “I will never leave
you, nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5); “I
am with you alway, even unto the end of
the world” (Matthew 28:20). In, with, and
through Christ, we are “more than
conquerors” (Romans 8:37).

The days of elijah (part 5)

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The days of elijah (part 5)