{"id":35134,"date":"2025-03-17T22:00:51","date_gmt":"2025-03-18T05:00:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/?p=35134"},"modified":"2025-03-11T21:01:10","modified_gmt":"2025-03-12T04:01:10","slug":"1-kings-19_1-21","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/1-kings-19_1-21\/","title":{"rendered":"Are You Feeling Depressed?"},"content":{"rendered":"

1 Kings\u00a0 19:1-21 \u00a0 (CLICK HERE FOR\u00a0BIBLE VERSES)<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Hi GAMErs,<\/p>\n

Do you struggle with feeling depressed?\u00a0 In today\u2019s passage we learn four powerful steps you can take to help you when you are depressed.\u00a0 Let’s go!<\/p>\n

Today\u2019s passage is 1 Kings 19:1-21.\u00a0 As usual,\u00a0I encourage you to open your Bible and read the passage yourself first.\u00a0 See what you can glean with the Holy Spirit\u2019s help. Then read the GAME sharing below.\u00a0 Let’s go!<\/p>\n

1<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0Kings<\/em><\/strong>\u00a019<\/em><\/strong>:<\/em><\/strong>1<\/em><\/strong>-3 (NIV)\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>
\n1<\/sup>\u00a0<\/em>Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword.\u00a0<\/em>
\n2\u00a0<\/sup><\/em>So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, “May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time\u00a0tomorrow\u00a0I do not make your life like that of one of them.”\u00a0<\/em>
\n3\u00a0<\/sup><\/em>Elijah was afraid and ran for his life…<\/em><\/p>\n

On verses\u00a01-3a:\u00a0 Elijah has just been used by God to accomplish one of the most impressive miracles ever recorded in the Bible: fire from heaven has come down upon Elijah’s sacrifice (1\u00a0Kings\u00a018:38-39).\u00a0 The prophets of Baal are seized, silenced and killed, and Elijah is riding a spiritual high, literally outrunning King Ahab’s chariot (1\u00a0Kings\u00a018:40-46).\u00a0 When Ahab tells his wife Queen Jezebel about everything Elijah has done (1\u00a0Kings\u00a019:1), Queen Jezebel threatens to kill Elijah (v2).\u00a0 Elijah is now \u00a0afraid for his life and starts running — this time not in faith but in fear (v3).<\/p>\n

What can we learn from this?\u00a0\u00a0There are three situations where we can be especially vulnerable to fear and depression<\/strong>:
\n(1) When you’ve just experienced a great victory and the high that came from that victory fades away;
\n(2)\u00a0When you’re exhausted after giving everything you have; or
\n(3) When you are disappointed by the results of your efforts and feel like your situation is hopeless.<\/p>\n

Elijah probably experienced all three at the same time:
\n(1) God had just used him to perform one of the greatest miracles ever recorded in the Bible, and the high of that miracle is starting to fade away;
\n(2) Elijah was understandably tired and fatigued after giving everything he had to serve God; and
\n(3) Elijah was probably disappointed that despite these amazing miracles, King Ahab and Queen Jezebel’s hearts were still so hard toward the Lord.<\/p>\n

Under normal circumstances, Elijah probably wouldn’t be so affected by Queen Jezebel’s death threat.\u00a0 But given the condition Elijah was in, Jezebel’s death threat triggered Elijah to run in fear.\u00a0 What can you do to help yourself when you\u2019re depressed? Let’s find out in the verses that follow.<\/p>\n

1<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0Kings<\/em><\/strong>\u00a019<\/em><\/strong>:3-8 (NIV)\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>
\n3\u00a0<\/sup><\/em>Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there,\u00a0<\/em>
\n4\u00a0<\/sup><\/em>while he himself went a day’s journey into the desert. He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.”\u00a0<\/em>
\n5\u00a0<\/sup><\/em>Then he lay down under the tree and fell asleep. All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.”\u00a0<\/em>
\n6\u00a0<\/sup><\/em>He looked around, and there by his head was a cake of bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again.\u00a0<\/em>
\n7\u00a0<\/sup><\/em>The angel of the LORD came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.”\u00a0<\/em>
\n8\u00a0<\/sup><\/em>So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

On verses 3b-8a: In his depression, Elijah wanted to be alone and he wanted to die (v3-4).\u00a0 The first thing God knew Elijah needed was physical rest in the form of food, drink and sleep.\u00a0 And that’s exactly what God provides to Elijah.\u00a0 The same God who provided food for Elijah through ravens and a widow in\u00a01\u00a0Kings\u00a017 provides food for Elijah again.\u00a0 Twice God feeds Elijah baked bread and water, and with tender words He comforts Elijah, “Get up and eat, for the journey has been too much for you”.<\/p>\n

What can we learn from this?\u00a0\u00a0When you are depressed (or are on the verge of depression), the road to restoration includes taking care of your physical health.\u00a0 That means getting yourself in better physical shape.<\/strong>\u00a0 You\u2019ll find that how we are feeling physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually are all connected.\u00a0 By taking care of yourself physically, you\u2019re putting yourself in a position to feel better emotionally, mentally and spiritually.\u00a0 (That\u2019s why God cared for lonely Elijah\u2019s physical well being.\u00a0 That\u2019s why Jesus fed his disciples and even crowds that followed him.\u00a0 Likewise, God cares not just for your spiritual health but for your entire well being, including your physical health.)<\/p>\n

1<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0Kings<\/em><\/strong>\u00a019<\/em><\/strong>:8b-13 (NIV)\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>
\n8\u00a0<\/sup><\/em>…Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God.\u00a0<\/em>
\n9\u00a0<\/sup><\/em>There he went into a cave and spent the night. And the word of the LORD came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?”\u00a0<\/em>
\n10\u00a0<\/sup><\/em>He replied, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.”\u00a0<\/em>
\n11\u00a0<\/sup><\/em>The LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake.\u00a0<\/em>
\n12\u00a0<\/sup><\/em>After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.\u00a0<\/em>
\n13\u00a0<\/sup><\/em>When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

On verses 7-13:\u00a0 After his physical strength was restored from the food, drink and sleep he received, Elijah goes to Mount Horeb, the famous mountain where God first met with Moses and gave Moses the Ten Commandments.\u00a0\u00a0Elijah knew that more than physical food and rest, Elijah needed to meet with God, to hear from God again.<\/strong>\u00a0 So he went out of his way to meet with God while in his depressed state.<\/p>\n

What can we learn from this?\u00a0\u00a0When you are depressed (or on the verge of depression), get into the presence of God and position yourself to hear from God again.<\/strong>\u00a0 Get away from all the noise in your life — all the rumblings that come from the storms, earthquakes and the fires you notice around you.\u00a0 Go somewhere where you can focus on God, pour out your heart and listen to His Word.\u00a0 Do those things until you can hear God’s still small voice speaking to your heart once again.<\/p>\n

1<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0Kings<\/em><\/strong>\u00a019<\/em><\/strong>:14-18 (NIV)\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>
\n14\u00a0<\/sup><\/em>He replied, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.”\u00a0<\/em>
\n15\u00a0<\/sup><\/em>The LORD said to him, “Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram.\u00a0<\/em>
\n16\u00a0<\/sup><\/em>Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet.\u00a0<\/em>
\n17\u00a0<\/sup><\/em>Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu.\u00a0<\/em>
\n18\u00a0<\/sup><\/em>Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel–all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and all whose mouths have not kissed him.”\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

On verses 14-18:\u00a0 Elijah has twice poured out his heart to God, telling God about his fears and his loneliness.\u00a0 Notice that depressed Elijah is focused on everything that’s wrong.\u00a0 But Elijah hears God’s voice speaking to his heart.\u00a0 Just when Elijah thought he was all alone, God reassures Elijah that he is not alone.\u00a0 God tells Elijah that He has assembled a team that will work alongside Elijah, including Hazael who will be king of Aram, Jehu who will be king of Israel, and Elisha who will succeed Elijah as Israel’s next great prophet, plus 7,000 others who are committed to worshiping the Lord.<\/p>\n

What can we learn from this?\u00a0\u00a0When you are depressed (or on the verge of depression), the enemy will try to get you to focus on everything that’s wrong and even convince you of things that are not true<\/strong>: “No one loves you.\u00a0 No one cares about you.\u00a0 You’re all by yourself.\u00a0 All your hard work was a waste.”\u00a0\u00a0In those times, you need to replace Satan’s lies with God’s truth.\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>You do that by identifying the lie that Satan has tried to get you to believe and stacking that up against the truth of God’s Word.<\/p>\n

1<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0Kings<\/em><\/strong>\u00a019<\/em><\/strong>:<\/em><\/strong>19<\/em><\/strong>-21 (NIV)\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>
\n19<\/sup>\u00a0<\/em>So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him.\u00a0<\/em>
\n20\u00a0<\/sup><\/em>Elisha then left his oxen and ran after Elijah. “Let me kiss my father and mother good-by,” he said, “and then I will come with you.” “Go back,” Elijah replied. “What have I done to you?”\u00a0<\/em>
\n21\u00a0<\/sup><\/em>So Elisha left him and went back. He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his attendant.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

On verses\u00a019-21:\u00a0 Up to this point, Elijah has been a one man show.\u00a0 He has done everything by himself.\u00a0 But this recent bout with depression and burnout shows Elijah that he cannot keep going all by himself.\u00a0 He needs others.\u00a0 So Elijah obeys God’s word and anoints Elisha as a prophet.\u00a0 Here we are introduced to Elisha, who takes the call of God so seriously that he slaughters his oxen and burns his farming tools to follow Elijah and become his attendant.<\/p>\n

What can we learn from this?\u00a0\u00a0When you are depressed (or on the verge of depression), reach out to others and ask for help.<\/strong>\u00a0 Don’t wait for others to reach out to you.\u00a0 You reach out to others for the support that you need.
\nIf you\u2019re struggling with depression, I pray that you would take each of these steps to help you get to a better place.\u00a0 God loves you!\u00a0 If you\u2019re contemplating suicide or doing something else drastic, call\u00a01-800-784-2433<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Father, thank You that You care for me and that You are committed to restoring me and caring for my needs.\u00a0 Whenever I am depressed or on the verge of depression, help me to take the four steps I’ve learned from Your Word today:\u00a0 to take care of my physical health, to get into Your presence and listen to You, to replace Satan’s lies with Your truth, and to reach out to others.\u00a0 Thank You that because of Jesus, weeping may remain for a night, but joy comes in the morning.\u00a0 In Jesus’ name, AMEN!<\/em><\/p>\n

copyright \u00a9 2022 Justin Lim. All rights reserved.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Hi GAMErs,<\/p>\n

Do you struggle with feeling depressed?\u00a0 In today\u2019s passage we learn four powerful steps you can take to help you when you are depressed.\u00a0 Let’s go!<\/p>\n

Today\u2019s passage is 1 Kings 19:1-21.\u00a0 As usual,\u00a0I encourage you to open your Bible and read the passage yourself first.\u00a0 See what you can glean with the Holy Spirit\u2019s help. Then read the GAME sharing below.\u00a0 Let’s go!<\/p>\n

1\u00a0Kings\u00a019:1-3 (NIV)\u00a0
\n1\u00a0Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword.\u00a0
\n2\u00a0So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, “May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time\u00a0tomorrow\u00a0I do not make your life like that of one of them.”\u00a0
\n3\u00a0Elijah was afraid and ran for his life…<\/p>\n

On verses\u00a01-3a:\u00a0 Elijah has just been used by God to accomplish one of the most impressive miracles ever recorded in the Bible: fire from heaven has come down upon Elijah’s sacrifice (1\u00a0Kings\u00a018:38-39).\u00a0 The prophets of Baal are seized, silenced and killed, and Elijah is riding a spiritual high, literally outrunning King Ahab’s chariot (1\u00a0Kings\u00a018:40-46).\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":35136,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[28],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-35134","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-gametime-sharing"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35134","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=35134"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35134\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":35137,"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35134\/revisions\/35137"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/35136"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=35134"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=35134"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=35134"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}