Monday Morning Manna
Monday, November 2
Monday Morning Manna
Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died.” 1 Kings 19:4
As we continue to live through these challenging times there are many who have thrown in the towel saying, ‘I’ve had enough!” The year 2020 has been that year. A year like we’ve never seen before. A year that has tested us in ways which did not previously seem possible. Like Elijah this world has given us just about all that we can deal with. Yesterday using the background story of Elijah written in 1 Kings 19, my sermon titled Tipping Point. This sermon aimed to encourage us to find rest in God when you’ve reached your Tipping Point, for God is our very present help in time of need. God is in control. And God continues to remain the same yesterday today and forever more. Today, despite all that is going on, be reminded that God still loves you and it is only through Him the church remains to be a sure foundation of hope and truth.
In this sermon I used three points to help us understand how Elijah got to this place and the hand of God in this moment.
Point #1 – Elijah had gone through a lot! Prior to the threat from Jezebel Elijah was taken cared for by the ravens. Through God, Elijah allowed oil and flour to miraculously multiplied over and over again. Elijah won on Mount Carmel in one of the greatest battles ever won was written in 1 Kings 18:20-20. Elijah prayed and there was no rain until God said so. All these events lead to Elijah becoming burnt out and now the threat from Jezebel was just enough to bring him to a Tipping Point.
Point #2 – Elijah became distracted. I Kings 19:2, when Jezebel sent a threat to kill Elijah he knew of her evil ways and ran because he was afraid of Jezebel and lost focus of his God – Yaweh who burnt UP the false gods in the fire just a few verses before. This just goes to point out that something small can block out something big. Elijah, taking on this battle as if it was his, somehow became lost and forgot about the God at Mount Carmel. Yeah, he’s afraid of Jezebel. He’s afraid she’s going to take him down. And so we find Elijah being driven into a cave because of the lies he’s allowed to play over and over in his mind. He forgot about the God who created the heavens and the earth.
Point #3 – Find rest. While he was on his way running to that cave in 1 Kings 19:5, and he laid down under this broom tree. We have reached a Tipping Point. We’ve gotten to this place because we have been through a lot. In doing a lot, we’ve lost perspective on the One who is able to keep us from falling and now we need to REST. Stop doing so much and rest in God. Elijah needed rest. Don’t hide instead, find rest in God. We are overwhelmed because we’ve got our lens so pointed on our self instead of focusing on God. His eye is on the sparrow and you can rest assured it is on you too! I just want you to know that God sees you, that He loves you that He cares for you, and that God is for you. He has a future and a promise (Jeremiah 29:11). Whatever is happening in your life today, find rest in God. He is the wise, all knowing and all powerful God. In Him, you cannot fail.
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