FACING DISCOURAGEMENT

This Sunday, June 20, I will be preaching from 1 Kings Chapter 19 where Elijah runs away from Queen Jezebel and sits down under a tree and just wants to die.  It's interesting that this event follows immediately after he has had a powerful demonstration of God's power in Chapter 18.  Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal to a duel of sorts.  He dared them to call on their god to send fire down to consume their offering.  Of course, since Baal does not exist, nothing happened.  When Elijah called on the Living God, Yahweh, fire not only consumed the offering but the wet wood on which is was laid and the water in a trench around the altar.  That is our mighty God.  Then Elijah proceeded to lead the people of Israel in killing all of the 850 prophets.  Needless to say, this did not make Jezebel happy.  She swore to take out her revenge on Elijah and declared that she would do to him what he had done to her prophets.  Elijah tucked tail and ran.  Now, one would think that after he had just had a powerful demonstration of God's might that he would have stood his ground.  In fact it demonstrated how doing things for God can sometimes drain us and make us vulnerable if we are not careful.  As a pastor, I am no stranger to discouragement after a particularly busy and stressful time.  Take right now for instance.  We were extremely busy during the height of the season.  We had many ministries and Bible studies going.  Attendance was great.  What a high!  But, now we are in the summer doldrums.  People are away on vacation and our winter residents have returned home.  Sunday morning we see more empty pews than full ones.  It is hard not to be discouraged.  The one thing that Elijah forgot and the thing that we need to remember is that it is not about us.  Whatever success we may have in God's service is not ours.  It belongs to God.  More importantly, we need to remember that God did not let Elijah continue to wallow in self pity.  He told him to get up and go back to work.  God was not done with Elijah and he is not done with us.  Now is the time to begin planning for the next ministry that God gives to us.  Already I have been approached about starting a new ministry to singles.  That led to thoughts about reaching out with a group to help those going through divorce.  God has a plan.  We just have to listen for his "still small voice."