What God did when Elijah got depressed.

Have you ever asked, “Why don’t I experience God dramatically, as those early believers did? Why do I not see anyone experiencing God that way?” A man from Old Testament times, a prophet named Elijah, struggled with this in 1 Kings 19.

Elijah lived in a day, much like today, when many people doubted or scoffed at God. He longed to see God move with tremendous power and silence the critics. Sometimes God did that. But there was also a time when Elijah's very life was in danger, and God seemed silent. An evil and godless queen named Jezebel sent her armies on a mission to have Elijah killed, and the prophet became angry and frustrated. Was this his reward for being loyal and faithful to God? Why didn’t the Lord stretch out His arm to defend an obedient servant? His depression and despair cut so deep that Elijah, resting beneath a tree, finally asked God to simply let him die. If God wasn’t going to speak or act, and if seemingly no one but Elijah served the true Lord anyway, what was the point of living?

God taught Elijah an unforgettable lesson. He sent the ailing prophet to a mountain and commanded him to stand and watch as the Lord passed. Wasn’t that what Elijah wanted, after all? His heart must have raced as he anticipated looking upon the manifest glory of God with his own two eyes.

Elijah understood the message God was sending him. God can hurl windstorms whenever He chooses. He can make the earth tremble or set it aflame. He has the power to do these and more. But He usually does not choose to move among us in spectacular or sensational ways, but rather in the sound of a gentle whisper.

Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act (Psalm 37:7)

Today’s application: Read 1 Kings 19:1-9.  Consider the depression of the great prophet, Elijah, even to the point of suicide, and how the Lord faithfully ministered to him through an angel.  Recount how God has ministered to you when you may have been down.    

Additional reading: 1 Kings, all of chapter 19.

By Bill Bright

©2003 Copyright Bright Media Foundation