Do you ever get discouraged?

Even when things are going well, our spirits can get fatigued. The Prophet Elijah is a great example. After a spectacular victory on Mt. Carmel against the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18), he fled the wrath of King Ahab & Queen Jezebel by hiding in a cave. While there, he had a conversation with God that’s very enlightening (1Kings 19):

The LORD: “What are you doing here Elijah?

Elijah: “I have been very zealous for the LORD God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.”

Next: Powerful moments of strong wind, a mighty earthquake, and fire. After that… “a still small voice” repeating the question…

The LORD: “What are you doing here Elijah?

Elijah: “I have been very zealous for the LORD God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life…”

The LORD: “Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.”

The Reality: Elijah wasn’t alone after all; he just thought he was. He wasn’t the only one struggling; he just thought he was. The victory wasn’t dependent on him; he just thought it was.

Our Challenge: Do you trust God? Do you really trust Him? Maybe your thoughts are leading you to feel completely alone; you’re not. Maybe your thoughts are causing you to believe no one else struggles; they do. And maybe your thoughts have tied the victory to your ability; it isn’t. Take courage today, because the Lord is near, and He can be trusted…always.