DCLM Daily Manna 28 October 2021 Devotional By Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Uplifting The Discouraged
TOPIC: Uplifting The Discouraged
TEXT: 1 Kings 19:1-10
1 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 Beersheba, 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.
KEY VERSE: “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.” – (1 Kings 19:7)
MESSAGE:
A brother had just prepared to go for a vigil. Suddenly he felt a strong urge to visit a Christian couple. “By this time?” he asked aloud. But the impression was so strong and persistent. “But why will the Lord want me to visit this people by this time?” He asked again looking at his wristwatch. He knew they were leaders in the church, still he went. He kept on imagining what the problem might be. On getting there, he met them completely downcast and discouraged. They were complaining of everything they were going through. He then prayerfully led them through some relevant Scripture passages and promises of God. Before he left 30 minutes later, the couple had gotten themselves together and were back on their feet.
From the text, Prophet Elijah had just done a series of great and astounding miracles in Israel. He had prayed back the rain that had ceased for 3½ years. He had called down fire from heaven to consume the sacrifice at Mount Carmel to prove that Jehovah is the only true God and the people had fallen down in worship. He also had authorised the execution of 450 prophets of Baal. The wicked queen, Jezebel heard about it all and threatened to kill him. He then ran for his life into the wilderness of Judah where God sent an angel to feed and strengthen him in his discouragement.
Discouragement comes to all men; to the rich and to the poor, to the high and low. Moses, Joshua, Job, David, Jeremiah, etc., were all discouraged at one time or the other. When discouragement comes, we should look to God who is able to save us. We must never give in to despondency, regret or self-pity. A songwriter wrote, “It is always darkest before the dawn, don’t be discouraged but carry on…”
As believers, let us learn to lift up our brethren when they are discouraged and not to judge or condemn them like the friends of Job.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
During discouragement, look to God alone who can lift you up.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Jeremiah 19-21
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
