Finding Strength in God Amidst Life's Challenges

Devotional

Day 1: Viewing Life Through God's Lens

When life's challenges arise, it's easy to become overwhelmed by our circumstances, much like Elijah did. Elijah's story illustrates the danger of focusing on our problems rather than on God. When Elijah shifted his focus from God to his problems, he became paralyzed by fear and self-pity. This is a common human experience, as seen in the story of Abram, who also faltered when faced with difficult circumstances. Both stories remind us that even the heroes of faith struggled, and we should be sympathetic to the struggles of those around us. Instead of magnifying our difficulties, we should view our circumstances through the lens of God's power and faithfulness. By doing so, we can maintain our peace and trust in God's ability to guide us through any situation. [01:49]

Isaiah 26:3-4 (ESV): "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock."

Reflection: What current challenge in your life can you begin to view through the lens of God's power and faithfulness today?

Day 2: Guarding Against Self-Pity

Elijah's descent into despair was marked by a focus on himself and his circumstances, leading him to believe he was the only one left serving God. This self-centered perspective is dangerous and can lead to despondency. We must guard against self-pity and remember that our faithfulness is sustained by God's power, not our own efforts. When we focus too much on ourselves, we risk losing sight of God's greater plan and purpose for our lives. By shifting our focus back to God, we can find renewed strength and purpose, knowing that we are not alone in our journey of faith. [05:11]

1 Kings 19:10 (ESV): "He said, 'I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.'"

Reflection: In what ways have you allowed self-pity to cloud your perspective? How can you refocus on God's power today?

Day 3: Listening for God's Gentle Whisper

The story of Elijah highlights the importance of listening for God's gentle whisper amidst the noise of life. Often, God speaks to us in unexpected ways, through the simple faith of a child or the quiet moments of reflection. We are reminded that true encounters with God's glory lead to humility and reverence, not self-promotion. By being attentive to His voice in the quiet moments, we can allow His presence to humble and guide us. This requires us to be still and open to hearing God's voice, even when it comes in the form of a gentle whisper. [12:04]

1 Kings 19:11-12 (ESV): "And he said, 'Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.' And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper."

Reflection: How can you create space in your daily routine to listen for God's gentle whisper today?

Day 4: Embracing God's Second Chances

With God, failure is never final. Elijah's reinstatement shows that God is the God of second chances, always ready to restore and use us for His purposes, no matter how far we've strayed. This demonstrates that God completes what He begins in us, and He is always ready to give us another opportunity to fulfill His plans. By embracing God's second chances, we can find hope and encouragement to continue on our faith journey, knowing that our past mistakes do not define us. [17:20]

Micah 7:18-19 (ESV): "Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love. He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea."

Reflection: Is there an area in your life where you need to embrace God's second chance? How can you take a step towards restoration today?

Day 5: Persevering in Faith

We are encouraged to "keep on" in our faith journey, trusting in God's promises and His ability to complete the work He has begun in us. Our spiritual growth often comes through trials and failures, not just successes. By persevering in faith, we can trust that God is working in us and through us, even when we face challenges. This requires us to remain steadfast in our faith, knowing that God is faithful to His promises and will see us through to the end. [21:27]

James 1:2-4 (ESV): "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

Reflection: What is one specific way you can persevere in your faith today, despite any trials you may be facing?

Sermon Summary

In our journey of faith, it's easy to march confidently when everything is going well, but when life's challenges arise, we often find ourselves stuck, much like Elijah did. Elijah's story teaches us the importance of maintaining our focus on God rather than our circumstances. When Elijah shifted his focus from God to his problems, he became paralyzed by fear and self-pity. This is a common human experience, as seen in the story of Abram, who also faltered when faced with difficult circumstances. Both stories remind us that even the heroes of faith struggled, and we should be sympathetic to the struggles of those around us.

Elijah's descent into despair was marked by a focus on himself and his circumstances, leading him to believe he was the only one left serving God. This self-centered perspective is dangerous and can lead to despondency. However, God intervened by refreshing Elijah, revealing Himself to him, and reinstating him to his mission. This demonstrates that with God, failure is never final. God is the God of second chances, and He completes what He begins in us.

The story of Elijah also highlights the importance of listening for God's gentle whisper amidst the noise of life. Often, God speaks to us in unexpected ways, through the simple faith of a child or the quiet moments of reflection. We are reminded that true encounters with God's glory lead to humility and reverence, not self-promotion.

In our own lives, we must resist the temptation to give in to self-pity and despair. Instead, we should trust in God's purposes for us, knowing that every day we wake up is a sign that He is not finished with us. We are called to persevere, to "keep on," trusting in God's faithfulness and His promises.

Key Takeaways

1. Focus on God, Not Circumstances: Elijah's story teaches us the danger of focusing on our problems rather than God. When we look at God through our circumstances, we magnify our difficulties and lose peace. Instead, we should view our circumstances through the lens of God's power and faithfulness. [01:49]
2. Beware of Self-Pity: Elijah's self-focus led him to believe he was the only one left serving God, a dangerous mindset that can lead to despair. We must guard against self-pity and remember that our faithfulness is sustained by God's power, not our own efforts. [05:11]
3. God's Gentle Whisper: God often speaks to us in gentle whispers, not in dramatic displays. We must be attentive to His voice in the quiet moments and through the simple faith of others, allowing His presence to humble and guide us. [12:04]
4. God of Second Chances: With God, failure is never final. Elijah's reinstatement shows that God is the God of second chances, always ready to restore and use us for His purposes, no matter how far we've strayed. [17:20]
5. Persevere in Faith: We are encouraged to "keep on" in our faith journey, trusting in God's promises and His ability to complete the work He has begun in us. Our spiritual growth often comes through trials and failures, not just successes. [21:27]
** [21:27]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:04] - The Challenge of Life's Valleys
[01:49] - Elijah's Shift in Focus
[02:36] - Abram's Struggle
[04:01] - Elijah's Self-Focus
[06:07] - The Descent into Despondency
[08:47] - Finding Purpose in Trials
[10:02] - God's Refreshing Intervention
[11:34] - God's Gentle Whisper
[13:30] - Simple Faith and God's Voice
[15:27] - The Christian Perspective on Death
[17:07] - God's Reinstatement of Elijah
[18:24] - The God of Second Chances
[21:27] - Encouragement to Persevere
[23:31] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

1 Kings 19:1-18
Genesis 12:10-20
1 Peter 1:5

---

Observation Questions:

In 1 Kings 19, what specific event caused Elijah to flee and feel despondent? How did his focus shift during this time? [01:49]
How did God respond to Elijah's despair in 1 Kings 19, and what actions did He take to refresh and redirect Elijah? [10:02]
In Genesis 12, what decision did Abram make when faced with a famine, and how did it reflect a shift in his trust in God? [02:36]
According to 1 Peter 1:5, what is the source of our ability to remain faithful, and how does this relate to Elijah's experience? [05:24]

---

Interpretation Questions:

How does Elijah's experience in 1 Kings 19 illustrate the danger of focusing on our circumstances rather than on God? What can this teach us about maintaining our faith during difficult times? [01:49]
In what ways does God's gentle whisper to Elijah in 1 Kings 19 challenge our expectations of how God communicates with us? How can we become more attentive to His voice in our lives? [12:04]
Reflecting on Genesis 12, what can Abram's actions teach us about the consequences of taking matters into our own hands instead of trusting in God's provision? [02:36]
How does the concept of God being the "God of second chances" in 1 Kings 19 encourage us in our own spiritual journeys, especially when we feel like we've failed? [17:20]

---

Application Questions:

Elijah's story shows the danger of self-pity. Can you identify a time when you felt like you were the only one facing a particular challenge? How did you overcome that mindset? [05:11]
How can you practice listening for God's gentle whisper in your daily life? Are there specific distractions you need to minimize to hear His voice more clearly? [12:04]
Reflect on a recent challenge you faced. Did you focus more on the problem or on God's power and faithfulness? How might you approach a similar situation differently in the future? [01:49]
Elijah was given a second chance and a renewed mission. Is there an area in your life where you feel God is offering you a second chance? How can you embrace this opportunity? [17:20]
Consider the story of Abram in Genesis 12. Are there areas in your life where you are tempted to take control rather than trust in God's timing and provision? How can you surrender these areas to Him? [02:36]
Elijah's journey teaches us the importance of perseverance. What is one specific way you can "keep on" in your faith journey this week, despite any challenges you may face? [21:27]
How can you support someone in your life who might be experiencing a "valley" moment, similar to Elijah's? What practical steps can you take to encourage them? [01:04]

Sermon Clips

"Most of us find it okay to march when the band is playing and the crowd is out and all is going well. It is a little more challenging when the wheels come off our wagon. Let's be honest enough tonight to say there are times when we get up in the morning or we turn around one afternoon and all of a sudden it would appear that every single wheel came off the wagon and we are certainly not rolling; we're stuck." [00:51:46]

"Elijah found himself in this condition largely because his focus changed. He started, as it were, to look at God through his circumstances rather than to look at his circumstances through God. He began to walk by sight and not by faith, and so his peace was affected, his spiritual prosperity was eroded, he had magnified the difficulties, and he was beginning to become paralyzed." [01:39:36]

"Elijah had fallen into the self-trap. He had fallen into the notion of believing that he was the only one who was doing anything. Did you ever have one of those days? 'I'm the only person in here that cares about this. I'm the only one that's doing anything around here.' Anytime we find ourselves doing that, we're probably in great danger because the fact is the only reason that we've ever known any faithfulness in our lives is because we have been kept by God's power." [05:00:12]

"You see, whenever we take matters into our own hands, then faith and hope are no longer exercised. And when faith and hope are no longer exercised, then they will be replaced by something, and usually by discontentedness and a lack of peace. The progress to despondency in Elijah's life is just very clear to see." [06:01:00]

"One of the biggest problems that Elijah faces is the problem of self-pity, and so God comes to him and he refreshes him. Look what he does: after he had laid down under the tree and fell asleep, an angel came and touched him and said, 'Get up.' Do you like getting woken up when you're asleep? If he had really needed to sleep, the Lord would have let him sleep, but the Lord knew he needed to get up." [09:56:44]

"The Lord says in verse 11, 'Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.' And we know this story, how this great and mighty tearing of the mountains of the winds come, but the Lord's not in the wind. And then in this great earthquake, but the Lord's not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord wasn't in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper." [11:40:00]

"When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Why did he pull his cloak over his face? Because he knew that he could not bear to look upon the glory of the Lord. Isn't it a strange thing how in Christian television everybody wants to go on the TV and tell about how they saw the glory of the Lord?" [12:06:40]

"The Lord came to his despondent servant, he refreshed him, he revealed himself to him, and finally he reinstated him. The Lord says to him in verse 15, 'Go back the way you came and go to the desert of Damascus, and when you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram.' And then he gives him a whole list of duties to perform." [16:44:12]

"With God, failure is never final. The God whom we worship is the God of the second chance, right? And the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time, saying, 'Get up there to Nineveh.' Is there somebody here tonight, and the word of the Lord has come to you with power and influence in the past?" [17:23:39]

"I want to say to you tonight that the God whom we worship is the God who completes what he begins. When Paul writes to Timothy, he reminds him that even when we are faithless, he abides faithful because he cannot deny himself. And when he writes to the Philippian believers, he says, 'I am confident that he who has begun a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.'" [18:26:40]

"More progress is made in our spiritual pilgrimage through tears and failure than it is through success and laughter. Well, here's an illustration of it in First Kings 19. I'd like to leave you with two words. They're not original to me; they're actually original in this story, at least to Martin Lloyd Jones, who was greatly used of God in Britain and indeed throughout the world." [18:52:08]

"Eric Alexander said to me, he said, 'You know, at first I said to myself, is that all that a great man like this could say to somebody? Just keep on.' And then he said it dawned on me that that is ultimately what all of us need said to each other all the time. Just those two words: keep on." [21:11:24]

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?

Finding Strength in God Amidst Life's Challenges

Devotional

Day 1: Viewing Life Through God's Lens

Day 2: Guarding Against Self-Pity

Day 3: Listening for God's Gentle Whisper

Day 4: Embracing God's Second Chances

Day 5: Persevering in Faith

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Finding Strength in God Amidst Life's Challenges

Share