Bible Men: Elijah: A Man of like Passions as We Are

But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers. 1Ki 19:4  

How the Despair of Giants Encourages Us

There’s something about the despair of a giant which makes the heart flutter with hope.

It is when I read the rejections famous writers went through that I get encouraged. And it is when I read the despairs of great prophets that I know God is true.

I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me. And if thou deal thus with me, kill me, I pray thee, out of hand, if I have found favour in thy sight; and let me not see my wretchedness. Num 11:14-15  

Wherefore is light given to him that is in misery, and life unto the bitter in soul;  Which long for death, but it cometh not; and dig for it more than for hid treasures; Which rejoice exceedingly, and are glad, when they can find the grave? Job 3:20-22  

Oh that I might have my request; and that God would grant me the thing that I long for! Even that it would please God to destroy me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off! Job 6:8-9 

Therefore now, O LORD, take, I beseech thee, my life from me; for it is better for me to die than to live. Jon 4:3  

Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another? Mat 11:2-3 

And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Mat 27:46  

For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:  But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:  Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us. 2Co 1:8-10  

Despair can reach us all, whether strong men of faith or weak ones. “Let us also go, that we may die with him” stammered Thomas Didymus, and his echo has rung down the annals of time.

Hope maketh not ashamed, fellow brethren, and it is perfectly alright to feel discouraged sometimes. But it is testimonies (bare facts) such as these that make me believe that God is true.

From Mt. Carmel and Into the Valley

We are all prone to be weak, and more so after a Mt. Carmel experience. There is no man Elijah feared (in the sight of God), but a woman called Jezebel stopped his blood cold.

For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Heb 12:3  

Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. Heb 12:12-13  

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.  We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;  Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed. 2Co 4:7-9 

But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses. 2Co 6:4 

Why Do We Despair?

It’s a fast world. Sometimes we despair because we love too much, and other times we despair because we are not loved too much!

For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Rom 7:18-19  

O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? Rom 7:24  

What is the Cure for Despair?

Christ is the answer.

Because in him there’s no condemnation, and he knows me by name. With him by my side it is possible to be perfectly at peace even in the midst of a storm.

Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. Isa 45:22 

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Rom 8:1  

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Rom 5:1 

From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. Psa 61:2  

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. Php 1:6 

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Rom 8:28 

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Php 4:7 

Lastly we despair because the enemy fights back. So we watch out when the fight is on, and we watch out again after the battle is over.

Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. 1Co 16:13  

Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Mat 26:41 

Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning. Luk 12:35 

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Eph 6:13 

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. 1Pe 5:8