Series: It’s a Wonderful Life

 

Title: It’s A Wonderful Life When You’re Overwhelmed

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omJeYC3Z4vU&t=40s

 

Let me live again, I want to live again, Please God let me live again.

 

Let’s be honest – life can be overwhelming sometimes. In moments of trouble, crisis, trauma or strife, it can be difficult to remove yourself from the pain you’re experiencing and look to God for guidance.

 

When we are overwhelmed, it may seem as though we are surviving and not truly living.  In such moments we experience a lack of joy or enthusiasm, maybe a sense of hopelessness.

 

The character George found himself in such a situation; after realizing that his life mattered (last week) He decides that he wants to live again.  At first, he calls out to the angels, but we know better as Christians.  Angels are God’s messengers to humans not their mediators before God.  Only Jesus has been given that role. 

           

         1 Timothy 2:5-6

 

⁵ For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, ⁶ who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.

 

God has given believers access to the throne of God through Jesus.

 

         Hebrews 4:16

 

¹⁶ Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

 

Then alas George calls out to God, pleading that he would live again. According to the way the movie was written God had answered George’s plea.

 

While a movie can inspire us, the word of God has the power to change us.  So, let’s turn to the book of

 

1 Kings 19:1-18

 

Just a little back story before we read today’s text.

This takes place in the time when there were kings ruling Israel.  After King Solomon died his kingdom was split into two kingdoms (south) Judah with Jerusalem and (north) Israel.  Elijah was the prophet serving Israel and their king Ahab.  Ahab was a very wicked king by the way. However, Ahab had come to that position by God’s divine plan.  So Elijah serves as God’s mouthpiece to Ahab and all of Israel.

 

It is believed that Elijah was born around 900 BC and that he was carried away around 849 BC.

He had just pronounced that there would be a famine in the land as punishment for their sins and it came about as he had said. 

Elijah also had just participated in a showdown with Jezebel’s (Ahab’s wife who was more evil than he) prophets who served the false god baal while he was advocating for the one true God Yahweh.

The God who answered by fire would be God.  As expected, the God of the bible prevailed mightily by answering Elijah’s prayer and raining down fire upon his sacrifice.  For there is no other God but Yahweh.  

 

Elijah then has all the false prophets killed to turn back the hearts of Israel to their God.

 

1 Kings 19:1-18

 

¹ Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. ² Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So may the gods do to me and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by this time tomorrow.” ³ Then he was afraid, and he arose and ran for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there.

⁴ But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he asked that he might die, saying, “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.”

 

Surely Elijah had expected different results after he had called down fire from heaven.  After all they had confessedwith a voice of unison that “The Lord, he is God; the Lord, he is God.” This must have meant that they would turn from idolatry and once again worship the one True living God.  Elijah must have also hoped that Ahab would persuade his wife to believe in God and help put Israel back on the right path.

 

But the news of Jezebel’s vengeance only proved that she was still influencing Ahab who controlled the people.  So therefore, the idols would remain in place.

 

Elijah had got to the point where he felt like giving up.  Their wickedness was overwhelming.  It did not seem like there was an end to it. 

 

Elijah escapes in haste and He finds himself in Mount Horeb “the mountain of God.”

 

Run to the Mountain of God

 

Where is his courage you may ask? Didn’t he just stand up against thousands by himself and prevail. Did he not just call down water from the sky during the drought and fire from the skies during his showdown with the prophets?  Yes, even he the man of God became overwhelmed.

 

But I’m thankful that the bible contains stories in which men of God have had moments of weakness.  Demonstrating to us that they too were human and yet God still used them mightily.  It’s only by God’s divine strength that they are made mighty. 

 

         2 Corinthians 12:10

 

¹⁰ For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

 

⁵ And he lay down and slept under a broom tree. And behold, an angel touched him and said to him, “Arise and eat.” ⁶ And he looked, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. And he ate and drank and lay down again. 

Define The Reason for Being Overwhelmed

 

When feeling Overwhelmed it is necessary to determine whether your sadness arises from sickness or sin.  Is it a health issue or is it a sin issue.  It may not even be your sin or your health that overwhelms you.  It was not the sin of Elijah but the sin of the nation of Israel which wearied his soul.

 

Trust In God’s Care for You

 

God was very patient and kind to Elijah.  God had made sure that Elijah was refreshed physically before anything else.  As God sustained a man like Elijah, a man of our nature, surely God will sustain us as well.

 

• God had provided a broom tree for him to sleep under (picture of broom tree)
  • The broom tree can grow up to eight feet tall, making it an excellent source of shade from the hot Middle Eastern sun. This is why the Bible usually associates broom trees with shelter and rest.
• He sent an angel to him to encourage him
• He provided fresh baked cake for him to eat
• and a fresh jar of water for him to drink
• God had allowed him to rest some more as this was needed for his journey

 

⁷ And the angel of the Lord came again a second time and touched him and said, “Arise and eat, for the journey is too great for you.” ⁸ And he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of God.

 

No matter our circumstances, even when all seems hopeless, He offers us protection and rest.

 

 If the Lord in his wisdom began with feeding and refreshing Elijah’s mortal body, we ought to be wise and do likewisebeing mindful of our physical bodies.

 

He travels to the mountain of God, to be alone with God, to hear His voice.  When his mind was quieted from all competing thoughts the Lord began to speak.

 

The Lord Speaks to Elijah

 

⁹ There he came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

 

The question that the Lord had asked Elijah was concerning more than just his physical location, but also had brought into question his mental and spiritual condition. 

 

• He was afraid,
• He was physically exhausted,
• He was discouraged as he did not see the results he was expecting.
• He was overwhelmed asking God to take his life,

What has brought you to this place?

• What has blinded your eyes so that you cannot see how big your God
• What has captured your thoughts so that you are not able to believe that He is able?
• What has overcome your body so that there is no more strength within you?
• What has vexed your soul to the point in which you have no hope?

 

What are you doing here Elijah?

God is such a merciful God. He is full of compassion, slow to anger and always abounding in steadfast love.  He deals with Elijah like a son. 

 

Elijah’s name means "my God is Jehovah."  Jehovah is one of many names given in the bible ascribing to His self-existence and the fact that He is eternal.

 

In other words, Elijah’s identity is based upon who his God is to him.  The Lord calls Elijah by name reminding him of his identity as a child of God.

 

Elijah responds:

 

¹⁰ He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” 

 

The kindness of our heavenly Father had broken through the thick walls of Elijah’s soul to the point which he feels comfortable to share what was really going on.  There is safety in the presence of God. That is a place in which we can lay it all down before the master.

 

We try to provide that same safe place with our children.  A place where they know they can share what is on their mind, what is weighing them down, what has robbed them of their joy. 

 

How much more so is the presence of our heavenly Father.  He bears our heavy burdens.  We can pour out our soul to Him and He is there to listen.

 

The reasons why Elijah was overwhelmed.

 

• I have been very Jealous (zealous) for the Lord – Meaning I have done my part. I have done everything that God has asked of me to do. 
  • I have kept myself from defilement,
  • I have stood against Ahab, Jezebel and all the false prophets
  • I have stepped out in faith by calling down fire from heaven
  • I have purged out the prophets of baal.

 

A big reason Elijah was overwhelmed was that he had been laboring for the Lord with not a whole lot of fruit to show for his efforts.  As a minister this can be one of the most overwhelming things one can face. 

 

We all want to know that what we do matters, and that we are making a difference. 

Another reason Elijah gives for being overwhelmed:

 

• Israel has forsaken your Covenant.

 

What is Israel if there is no covenant with God. God’s covenant is what set Israel apart from other nations. He will be their God and they will be His people. 

 

But from Elijah’s perspective the whole nation had turned away from God and that he was the only prophet left.  He felt alone, like he was the only one living for God.  Which brings us to our third reason Elijah was overwhelmed. 

 

• They Seek My Life – Elijah’s life was in danger.

 

Thus we find Elijah hiding in the cave, scared for his life, with no hope of Israel changing though he did all that he can do.

 

Get Out the Cave and Stand on The Mountain

 

¹¹ And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.”

 

The Lord tells Elijah to get out of the cave and stand on the mountain.

 

            Physically – Get out of the house and get some fresh air

            Spiritually – Get out of those dark places which has kept you feeling sorry for yourself.

 

The Lord loved Elijah too much to allow him to stay in that dark place for too long.  The cave was necessary for a season for it was used to restore Elijah to good health.  Now it was time to get out of the cave and stand on the mountain of God.  For God was not done with him yet.

 

Before the Lord would speak to him it was necessary that he went out.  There are certain steps of faith that we must take before the Lord reveals his plan for our lives.  The first step for Elijah was getting out of the mulligrubs.

 

And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. ¹² And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. 

 

We see the glory of the Lord displayed in 3 awesome ways.  All of which were meant to engage Elijah’s senses and bring about a fresh perspective and a healthy fear of God.  For who did Elijah have to fear if He served the God who controlled everything including nature.

 

            Great Wind (which tore the mountains)

            Earthquake

            Fire

 

Surely if God could rip apart the mountain with gust of wind who could dare stand in His path. 

If He could tell the earth to quake and it must listen, is there anything out of His control. 

If He could make fire appear out of nowhere, was Jezebel any match for Him.        

 

God is reminding Elijah of who He is.  That is the Alpha and Omega the first and last and that there was nothing impossible for Him to do. Oh, how that last demonstration must have really hit home.

 

God kindled a fire, something that Elijah was very familiar with.  For God had responded to Elijah’s prayers through fire.  Did Elijah forget? God was for Him so who could be against him. God had answered him as a father answers his child.

 

But it is easy to forget about past victories while wallowing in current defeats.

 

While these demonstrations of God’s power must have certainly got Elijah’s attention and humbled him, God did not speak to him through these.  But He spoke to Elijah in a still small voice.

 

Listen for God’s Still Small Voice

 

¹³ And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak (as many have done when encountering the presence of God) and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 

 

Why are you still here? 

 

¹⁴ He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.”

 

What we see is the same exact response that he had before the Lord had demonstrated His great power to him.  There is no change in his outlook for life even after God had done all that he did.

 

• I have been zealous.
• They have forsaken the covenant.
• They are out to kill me.

 

It’s like Elijah was stuck in a rut.  He was so focused on what he was and what they had become, that for a moment he had failed to see who God is.  He is a very present help in time of trouble.

 

God was trying to reveal to Elijah that He was still God, He was not shaken by anything that was going on, in fact it is He doing the shaking. 

 

Let’s undo the three things that kept Elijah overwhelmed.

 

1. (I have been zealous) God was not unjust to forget Elijah’s Zealousness and all his hard work.

 

         Hebrews 6:10

 

¹⁰ For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do.

 

Elijah could still trust God to be a very present help in time of trouble.  For if Elijah had done what God had asked him to do, then the results were not up to Elijah but up to God. Elijah must be obedient which he was. 

 

2. (they have forsaken the covenant) How easy is it to forget that a covenant is from two sides. Though the Israelites have had a track record of breaking covenant, God faithfully keeps his side of the covenant time and again.  He always has preserved a remnant of people who serve him faithfully.  That’s what He says to Elijah.

 

¹⁸ Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.”

 

Elijah believed that he was the only one living for the Lord, when in fact God informs him otherwise. The enemy of our soul would have you to believe that you are all alone in your struggle.  That is simply not true.

 

Seven thousand believers were still in Israel and they had refused to bow down to baal.  They were just as much in danger of falling into the hands of Jezebel as Elijah was.  However, they were still there while Elijah had fled to Judah.

 

Perhaps the isolation that you feel is self-induced.  Get back into community with God’s people.

 

3. (they are out to kill me) but look how God had protected Elijah thus far. He has not failed him yet, nor will He fail him now.

 

In 2 Kings 1 there is a really good story of how God sent fire down on two separate occasions on Elijah’s behalf but this time to consume his enemies. 

 

But Elijah had a problem that we often have in seemingly overwhelming situations.  That is, we tend to magnify our problem over our God.    Who do we belong to anyway?

 

As a child of God, you are protected, you are loved, you are provided for.  Whatever happens to you is allowed by your heavenly father.  We are His children, and we are in His care.  He is able to keep us to the end.

 

         Hebrews 7:24-25

 

²⁴ but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. ²⁵ Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.

 

This scripture and many more like tell us that the reason you will make it is because Jesus is praying for you.  He is making intercession for you at the throne of God.

 

Though you are overwhelmed it is only for a season.  It will not always be the case. 

 

What about you, can you identify the reason why you are overwhelmed?

Can you pinpoint the reason why you have not progressed beyond your cave of despair?

Has God been trying to get your attention but your outlook on life has not yet changed?

 

Only the Lord can provide rest for your weary soul.

 

         Matthew 11:28-30

 

²⁸ Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.²⁹ Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

 

When Elijah heard God’s voice in the whisper, he came.  Would you also come.