What to Do When the Lord Seems Withdrawn at the Hour of Need Part II

1 Kings 19:10-14 

In last week's sermon we learned how Elijah was a prophet whom God used mightily. Elijah tells King Ahab and Queen Jezebel that there would be a drought because of the wickedness of their kingdom. Then after the three-year drought, Elijah defeats and kills the 850 prophets of Baal.  Very soon after Elijah's victory, Jezebel orders Elijah's execution. Elijah becomes distraught over this declaration. 

Like Elijah every Christian has a purpose. Jesus chose us to bear fruit, and we have specific fruit to bear. This purpose is made to each one of us differently. We all need the grace of God to produce this fruit. In John 15:16, we read that all Christians are called for a purpose. If you do not do your calling, no one else will do it. Your purpose could be raising your children, or witnessing in your workplace.  

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 

John 15:16 ESV 

In Elijah's time there were few faithful people. We need to become an Elijah when there are few faithful people. Just like Elijah, we need to ...

1. 1. See our hidden self-realization 
2. 2. Develop our spiritual muscles 
3. 3. Remind ourselves of God's character 
4. 4. Achieve God's greater purpose 

If this is what God is up to, then what should I do when God is far away? We can look at Elijah's example. He goes before the Lord and shows his true heart. This is the best example of what to do. Go back to God.  

For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!" 

Romans 8:15 ESV 

This allows God to work on Elijah's heart. Elijah has an image of God, who is a military power that has never been defeated. We see this when Elijah addresses God as "the Lord of Hosts". Yet, God does not rebuke Elijah. God listens to Elijah's complaints and then God responds and responds in different ways to Elijah. 

In one way, God can respond and give the solution. We saw this with the Elijah and the widow's son in 1 Kings 17:17-24. God brings back to life the widow's son after Elijah prays to God to restore the boy's life.

Another way God may respond is to give an interim solution. In other words, God gives sustaining grace. God may not completely or immeidtely resolve our dilema, but provide enough for us to overcome. This is an example with Elijah being fed by the ravens in 1 Kings 17:1-7. Elijah is further shown how God is supporting Elijah as we read about Obadiah hiding and feeding the 100 prophets of God in 1 Kings 18:7-15. Paul understands the God's interim solution is sometimes necessary and will be better than an immediate solution.

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 

2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV 

We must remember to bring relentlessly our prayers and petitions to God. We must establish the understanding of God's presence which is always there. Jesus will never leave you. His spirit in us guarantees those moments which are difficult.

teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." 

Matthew 28:20 ESV 

 Some advice:

3. 1. Seek and utilize the provided grace. When we confine ourselves to the problem we don't always take advantage of the grace provided. 
4. 2. Reflect on our growth. God is trying to show us our virtues and vices. 
5. 3. Learn to read what God is telling you. Objectively learn what God is revealing to you. 

God's presence is there and He has a purpose for us. Even in the low moments, God will never leave us. We need to be postive in Christ.

What to Do When the Lord Seems Withdrawn at the Hour of Need Part I

1 Kings 19:10-14 

Christians have a unique promise that God is always with us and will never leave us. This is a promise that encourages us to pray to God every morning and seek God.  Yet, sometimes we ask, "Does God always come to me when I need and call on God?" 

In 1 Kings we read about the ups and downs of Elijah.  He had seen mighty workings of God, but Elijah also experienced God's absence. After Elijah tells King Ahab that God's punishment was coming in the form of a drought, Elijah flees Israel for his life.  During the three years of drought, Elijah was on the run and had seen miracles but also had low moments of despair.  We see in 1 Kings 19:10-14, while Elijah honestly prays to God, Elijah reveals his self centeredness. God had plans to bring Israel back to His worship and remove the prophets of Baal. God also had plans to perfect Elijah. Elijah's heart was not perfect, and it needed more discipline to grow.

Why does God seem to leave us on our own? Here are four reasons why God may appear to have abandoned us. 

1. 1. God sometimes exposes us to low moments so we may have self discovery. Elijah had to deal with his self centeredness, so God allowed troubles to enter Elijah's life (1 Kings 17:20 and 19:10). Even in the end, Elijah does not change his self-centeredness.  
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3. 2. God sometimes wants to develop our spiritual muscles. God wants us to be strong and we need to endure so our faith will grow. 
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5. 3. God sometimes wants us to remember His word and gain new insights (1 Kings 19:10). God wanted to teach Elijah that God appears in great moments as well as insignificant moments. We might not see it or understand it, but God is working always in our lives.  
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7. 4.God sometimes wants us to be used for his greater purpose (1 Kings 18:1-18). God is not just dealing with Elijah. God was also working to do more for His Kingdom and bring more into His Kingdom. 
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