“When Serving God is Tiresome”

“Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done, including how he had executed all the prophets. Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah. She said, "May the gods strike me dead if by this time tomorrow I don't take your life the way you took the lives of Baal's prophets." Frightened, Elijah fled to save his life. He came to Beersheba in Judah and left his servant there.” ~ 1 Kings 19:1-3 (GW)

When it comes to serving God, there’s no doubt there will be times when you feel like “what’s the point?” “Why am I even doing this, nobody even cares?” and the occasional “God, where in the world are You at in THIS?” The context of the story of Elijah centers around him running to Ahab in the name of The LORD as he gives him a stern challenge. God spoke through Elijah and said “it’s not going to rain” because “Baal” the false god was said to have controlled the rain. Elijah’s prophecy came true, it didn’t rain, but it started to as Elijah prayed seven times. Yet, through that huge victory came a challenge in the middle, the false prophets and priests of Baal were all surrounding Elijah and on this mountaintop Elijah calls down fire from Heaven and God, the true God was acknowledged before the false prophets of Baal. God was using Elijah, yet Elijah heard a rumor about him. It’s interesting the Bible doesn’t say his internal thoughts, but his outward action was to get out of there, he fled town. Elijah was experiencing what we all experience from time to time, doubt, despair, depression and discouragement.

Elijah was so powerful and effective in ministry that an enemy threatened him, that enemy stopped Elijah’s whole Ministry. In the scripture above we see nothing but a worn out, depressed and discouraged prophet of God who was used mightily. It’s no secret, the biggest enemies to members of the Body of Christ who are serving come in three; discouragement, depression and tiredness. What do you do when you feel burned out with serving God? First, you have to acknowledge to God that YOU ARE burned out. Second, you have to return to the Word of God; perhaps your drought season is there because instead of running to God (His Word), you are running from Jezebel (life’s threats). Thirdly, you have to come back to where you came from. Sometimes we get busy and quit ministry, Elijah came back to Mount Carmel, some say this is where Moses was hidden in the cleft of the rock as God the Father passed by him and proclaimed his name (Ex. 33:14-17). Elijah went back to what he knew when he was down, he was near God, yet still depressed. Almost certain by experience, if we do these three things in our seasons of wanting to give up, wanting to quit and being tired in serving God, I am certain God, like He did with Elijah will visit us and feed us with supernatural food (His Word) that enables us to “go on in its (His) strength.” God Bless!

Father in Jesus Name, I come to You and thank You for the fact that You are there. You are here. You are where I am. Lord, I pray for Your Spirit to come into my heart and life in a new way so that I can revive those who are currently depressed. Lord, when I come into my seasons of depression and discouragement, strengthen me with the Word of God. Help me to persevere and endure, continually serving and loving You and Your people. God lead me like You have done Your saints in the past, bring me into a greater love for You and help me stand firm when the winds blow and the threats of life come my way. I thank You in Jesus Name! AMEN!