Many are tired, many get overwhelmed, and many get surprised. When the Lord Jesus called the twelve in Matthew 10:5-10, He told them that they will be betrayed and given up to be persecuted.
[1 Kings 19:1-18 KJV] “And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword. [2] Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time.”
[3] “And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beer-sheba, which belongeth 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 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.”
[5] “And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat. [6] And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink, and laid him down again. [7] And the angel of the Lord came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee. [8] And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God.”
[9] “And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah? [10] And he said, I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.”
[11] “And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake 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 a still small voice. [13] And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah? [14] And he said, I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.”
[15] “And the Lord said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria: [16] And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room. [17] And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay. [18] Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.”
Many of you are being persecuted for standing for the Lord, but this is not the time to give up and complain. When you feel overwhelmed, don’t complain or murmur. When you feel overwhelmed by life’s challenges:
- Retreat and rest
- Arise and eat
- Continue the journey
- Keep your words few
Whenever you feel overwhelmed, the most intelligent thing to do is to
1. Retreat and rest:
Don’t leave your company behind. Our Lord Jesus Christ showed us this example when He felt overwhelmed He retreated with His company. If you are not the leader or the senior, then when you feel overwhelmed run to your leader. When the Lord was with the disciples and the storms came up against them, they run to Him. If the leader is the one attacking you, run from him. When Saul sought to kill David, David fled from him. Hagar fled from Sarah. Don’t die under oppression, but don’t be in a hurry to leave your father‘s house except the abuse may harm or kill you.
Never run away from God or your calling; just avoid the volatile situation in order to stay safe. Don’t stay and be killed, stay home if it is safe!
2. Arise and eat:
There is always an angel sent to cook a meal for you. God will send an angel to cook for you. When in transition, spend time to feed your spirit, soul and nourish your body for the journey. The angel cooked him a meal and told him to arise and eat. There is still a long journey to go. You must finish your course and finish it with joy.
3. Step out and continue the journey:
Brother, We have miles to go! You can’t be tired now, and you certainly can’t stop; you must press on. There may be no one to babysit you, so you must grow muscles and keep pushing. As the saying goes, “when the going gets tough, the tough get going”. You must press on too!
4. Keep your words few:
The first thing that tough times affects is the mindset or thought pattern. When you are going through tough times, let the higher one give the answers. When God asked Elijah “can these bones live?”, he answered with a simple answer “Lord, you know”. When God asked Elijah what he was doing in the cave, he should have told the Lord “I am confused and discouraged“. He should have left the Lord to suggest what can be done. When you are speaking to your superior in confusion, let them suggest; by so doing you commit them to stand by you.
Sometimes, your delusions could make you feel very important or very impotent, both feelings are not right.
Be wise, I love you!
Pastor Simpe
