Elijah On Mt. Horeb: 1 Kings 1940 Days of Spiritual Confusion

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BackgroundElijah was the first of the great Old Testament prophets after Moses

Elijah dwelt in a spiritual universe of angels, miracles, healing, raising the dead, fire from Heaven, and powerful prayer

Elijah challenged the rampant pagan worship culture of the day, known as Baal worship.

Previous ChapterIn 1 Kings 18 Elijah had confronted the prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel

Elijah successfully called down fire from Heaven to devour the sacrifice of a bull on an altar he has soaked with water.

He then killed 800 prophets of Baal and prayed successfully for the drought to end, and a huge rainstorm had come up.

The Threat To Elijah1 Kings 19:1-5 Jezebel threatens to kill Elijah within 24 hours.Elijah runs for his lifeElijah is physically, emotionally and spiritually exhaustedElijah realizes that he has only dealt with the “outer branches” of Baal worship and not with the “root” of false worship (in the palace).Elijah feels confused and a failure Elijah then travels for 40 days to Mt. Horeb.

Spiritual ConfusionFor Elijah God was everything and his relationship with God was all consuming.

Elijah was not after material success but rather after spiritual success and especially wanted to see God (YHWH) worshipped exclusively in Israel.

Elijah expected God to always turn up, always work and always “solve the problem”

But now the problem had remained and Elijah’s life and mission seemed to be a complete failure.

Why Elijah Wanted To DieElijah thought that it was “all over”He thought Jezebel won the spiritual battleHis greatest spiritual performance had not truly turned around the hearts of the peopleHis perception was that he alone was left and he would soon be deadHe thought the true God (YHWH) would no longer be worshipped in IsraelElijah thought he was a total spiritual failureHe was “no better than his fathers” – his life had been for nothing and was a total waste

The Stinking Thinking….

Elijah was totally focused on the overwhelming problem and on his collapsed spiritual universe rather than on the faith-filled solution and on a renewed vision of God.

Fight, Flight, and MasteryFight: Sees the threat, takes it personally, and reacts explosively to eliminate it, threat, rage, anger, physical fighting, calling down fire from Heaven, “this is war” mentality. Luke 9:51-56

Flight: Sees the threat, assesses it as real and overwhelming, runs away, collapses, hides, withdraws, avoids the problem as much as possible. (The disciples in Gethsemane)

Mastery: There is no threat, with God I can handle this situation, possesses deep confidence and calls on wisdom, does not take it personally, sees it as an incident and not as an injury

Causes of Spiritual Confusion

1) Spiritual attack / temptation

2) Physical and emotional exhaustion

3) A strong perception of threat or failure

4) Misunderstanding God’s true agenda

5) Times of major life transition

6) Times of unusual spiritual growth

7) Focusing on the problem rather than on the solution.

Being Solution-Focused

Focuses on the solution and not on the problem

Moves creatively towards to the desired positive and godly outcome

Knows that with God we have all the resources that we require ( e.g. 12 legions of angels Matthew 26:53)

Knows that a solution exists and that all the resources of Heaven are on our side!

God’s SolutionsGod nourished Elijah and restored him physically with food from angels. God took Elijah apart for 40 days to take him back to his covenant roots at Mt Horeb. God appeared and spoke personally to Elijah without any trace of condemnation.God gave Elijah a new spiritual understanding of the power of stillness.God corrected Elijah’s false perspectives on life.God reassured Elijah that he was not aloneGod brought Elijah into a place of continuing ministry through impartation and delegation. God assured Elijah that He had a plan to deal with Ahab and Jezebel and all their followers.

To Remember….Spiritual confusion can be a sign that your spiritual understanding needs to grow, expand and deepenDo not give up!Take care of yourself physicallyGo to God and be still before HimWait for God to speakLook for God’s positive solutionHave faith in God and His spiritual provision for every situationBe prepared to change and be willing to be corrected!

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