By Pastor Stephen Hess –
Sometimes when we read the Bible it is easy to forget that the saints of Scripture were people just like us. For example, when we read about the prophet Elijah performing miracles, raising the dead, and calling down fire from heaven, we can begin to think of Elijah as some kind of “super saint” who was in a category totally different from our own. Yet one of most encouraging statements about Elijah in the Bible is that “Elijah was a man with a nature like ours” (James 5:17). In other words, Elijah had all the weaknesses, frailties, and struggles that come with being human. An examination of Elijah’s life reveals that he encountered many of the same spiritual obstacles that we face in our lives. Here are just three examples.
First, Elijah knew what it was like to encounter spiritual decay. He began his ministry during a time when Israel had flagrantly departed from God. It had been fifty years since the kingdom had been split in two following the death of Solomon. During that time seven different kings reigned in Israel, and all of them were wicked men. In fact, each king seemed to be more wicked than his predecessor, so that by the time Elijah arrived on the scene while Ahab was king, Scripture tells us: “Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the LORD, more than all who were before him” (1 Kgs. 16:30).
Believers living in the United States today are often dismayed at the spiritual decay we see around us. The church in the western world seems to have been in decline for numerous decades, and our culture seems to be moving further and further away from Biblical beliefs and values. We can take comfort that we are not the first to experience spiritual decay. Others, like Elijah, have encountered these same troubling trends and have remained faithful to the Lord.
Second, Elijah knew what it was like to encounter spiritual difficulties. At the beginning of his life, he lived through a severe drought. Although the Lord provided for his prophet at the brook of Cherith, that brook eventually dried up and Elijah had to sojourn on in faith that the Lord would provide (1 Kgs. 17:7). Later in his story, Elijah faced life-threatening persecution from Jezebel and went on the run for his life. Needless to say, this prophet understood what it was like to encounter difficulties and hardships as he served the Lord.
Elijah’s life can give us encouragement when we encounter difficulties. Stories like these remind us that we are not alone and that we too can persevere in the faith. As Timothy Lane and Paul Tripp write, “It is incredibly encouraging to realize that that Bible addresses the world as we know it. God makes it very clear that he understands the heat we face every day. It isn’t always pleasant to read the honest stories of Scripture, but it is comforting. We realize that we will never face an experience, no matter how dark or difficult, that would be a shock to our God. The hope and help God offers his children reflect his knowledge of the full range of human experience.”
Third, Elijah knew what it was like to encounter spiritual discouragement. After Elijah fled from Jezebel he wandered into the wilderness and was so discouraged that he said, “It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers” (1 Kgs. 19:4). At this moment Elijah was so despondent and depressed that he literally felt he would be better off dead than alive. Here we have a picture of a prophet who was at his lowest. Yet even in this moment there is hope because God did not abandon Elijah but continued to strengthen him in the midst of his discouragement.
We, too, face times when we are discouraged or depressed—seasons when we feel surrounded by darkness and without hope in this world. Elijah’s life reminds us that we are not alone. Many others have walked this same road, and God will never leave or forsake his saints.
In one sense Elijah was a unique figure, because he was a prophet who had a special calling and a special gifting from God. But in another sense Elijah was a man just like us. That is why I am excited to kick off a new sermon series on the life of Elijah as we head into August. Join us on Sunday mornings and be encouraged as we study the life of this great prophet.