Finding Strength in God's Gentle Whisper
Summary
### Summary
In today's sermon, we explored the profound story of Elijah from 1 Kings 19:9-18, focusing on how he overcame deep despair and discouragement. Elijah, despite his great victories and experiences of God's grace, found himself in a state of spiritual depression. This story is a timely lesson for us as we navigate our own challenges and prepare for the future. Elijah's depression was rooted in self-righteousness, self-pity, and self-importance, which led him to believe half-truths about his situation. He felt isolated and overwhelmed, forgetting God's past faithfulness and the presence of other faithful believers.
God's response to Elijah's despair was both corrective and comforting. He reminded Elijah of His faithfulness in the past, His sovereignty over the future, and His gentle presence in the present. God did not appear in the powerful wind, earthquake, or fire, but in a gentle whisper, teaching Elijah that He is present in both the grand and the small moments of life. This gentle whisper was a reminder that God's power is not only in the extraordinary but also in the ordinary.
We are encouraged to preach the gospel to ourselves daily, filling our minds with God's truths rather than our own half-truths. By doing so, we can avoid spiritual depression and remain focused on God's mission for us. Evangelism and prayer are essential practices that keep us spiritually and mentally healthy, as they shift our focus from ourselves to others and to God's greater purpose.
As we move forward, let us remember that God's gentleness is not a sign of weakness but of His immense strength and love. He calls us to come to Him with our burdens, promising rest and guidance. Let us embrace His gentle love and extend it to others, finding strength in His presence and faithfulness.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Measure of Faith and Greatness: Our faith and greatness are measured by what it takes to discourage us. When we face discouragement, it reveals the size of our faith and our reliance on God. Reflect on what discourages you and how you can turn to God to strengthen your faith in those moments. [11:07]
2. The Danger of Half-Truths: Elijah's spiritual depression was fueled by half-truths about his situation. He believed he was the only faithful one left and that his efforts were in vain. We must guard against self-righteousness, self-pity, and self-importance, and instead, preach the full truth of the gospel to ourselves daily. [18:10]
3. God's Faithfulness in the Past: God reminded Elijah of His past faithfulness by appearing to him at Mount Horeb, the same place where He had revealed Himself to Moses. Remembering God's past faithfulness can provide us with the strength and assurance we need to face present challenges. [28:04]
4. God's Sovereignty Over the Future: God is in control of both the present and the future. He instructed Elijah to anoint new leaders, showing that He had a plan and was still in charge. Trusting in God's sovereignty helps us to see beyond our immediate circumstances and have hope for the future. [31:49]
5. The Power of God's Gentle Whisper: God often speaks to us not in grand, dramatic ways, but in gentle whispers. Elijah learned that God's presence is just as powerful in the small, quiet moments as in the big, miraculous events. We should be attentive to God's gentle guidance in our daily lives. [37:27]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[11:07] - The Measure of Faith and Greatness
[12:03] - Elijah's Encounter with God
[14:30] - Elijah's Continued Depression
[17:25] - Causes of Spiritual Depression
[18:10] - The Danger of Half-Truths
[19:11] - Self-Righteousness and Self-Pity
[21:00] - Exaggerating Our Troubles
[23:33] - The Concept of the Remnant
[28:04] - God's Faithfulness in the Past
[31:49] - God's Sovereignty Over the Future
[37:27] - The Power of God's Gentle Whisper
[44:16] - The Importance of Prayer
[46:18] - God's Gentle Response to Elijah
[48:42] - Closing Prayer and Reflection
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1 Kings 19:9-18 (NIV)
> 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?” He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn 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.” 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. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 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?” He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn 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.” 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. Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet. 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. Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.”
#### Observation Questions
1. What were the three natural phenomena that occurred before God spoke to Elijah in a gentle whisper? ([12:03])
2. How did Elijah describe his situation to God, and what emotions did he express? ([12:49])
3. What instructions did God give Elijah after their encounter on Mount Horeb? ([12:49])
4. How many faithful people did God say He had reserved in Israel who had not bowed to Baal? ([13:38])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think God chose to speak to Elijah in a gentle whisper rather than through the powerful wind, earthquake, or fire? ([37:27])
2. How did Elijah's belief in half-truths contribute to his spiritual depression? ([18:10])
3. What does Elijah's story teach us about the importance of remembering God's past faithfulness? ([28:04])
4. How does God's instruction to anoint new leaders demonstrate His sovereignty over the future? ([31:49])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt discouraged or overwhelmed. How did you respond, and what can you learn from Elijah's experience to handle similar situations in the future? ([11:07])
2. Elijah believed he was the only faithful one left. Have you ever felt isolated in your faith? How can you remind yourself of the community of believers around you? ([12:49])
3. What are some half-truths you might be telling yourself that contribute to feelings of self-righteousness, self-pity, or self-importance? How can you counter these with the full truth of the gospel? ([18:10])
4. How can you make a habit of preaching the gospel to yourself daily to avoid spiritual depression? What specific truths about God can you remind yourself of each day? ([25:15])
5. In what ways can you be more attentive to God's gentle whispers in your daily life? What small, quiet moments might you be overlooking where God is trying to speak to you? ([37:27])
6. How can you practice extending God's gentle love to others, especially those who are burdened or discouraged? ([47:48])
7. What steps can you take to shift your focus from your own problems to God's greater purpose, through practices like evangelism and prayer? ([25:15])
Devotional
Day 1: The Measure of Faith and Greatness
Description: Our faith and greatness are measured by what it takes to discourage us. When we face discouragement, it reveals the size of our faith and our reliance on God. Reflect on what discourages you and how you can turn to God to strengthen your faith in those moments. Elijah, despite his great victories and experiences of God's grace, found himself in a state of spiritual depression. This story is a timely lesson for us as we navigate our own challenges and prepare for the future. Elijah's depression was rooted in self-righteousness, self-pity, and self-importance, which led him to believe half-truths about his situation. He felt isolated and overwhelmed, forgetting God's past faithfulness and the presence of other faithful believers. [11:07]
Isaiah 40:29-31 (ESV): "He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."
Reflection: What specific discouragements are you facing today? How can you turn to God to renew your strength and faith in these moments?
Day 2: The Danger of Half-Truths
Description: Elijah's spiritual depression was fueled by half-truths about his situation. He believed he was the only faithful one left and that his efforts were in vain. We must guard against self-righteousness, self-pity, and self-importance, and instead, preach the full truth of the gospel to ourselves daily. Elijah's depression was rooted in self-righteousness, self-pity, and self-importance, which led him to believe half-truths about his situation. He felt isolated and overwhelmed, forgetting God's past faithfulness and the presence of other faithful believers. [18:10]
Jeremiah 17:9-10 (ESV): "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? 'I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.'"
Reflection: Are there any half-truths or lies you have been believing about your situation? How can you replace these with the full truth of the gospel today?
Day 3: God's Faithfulness in the Past
Description: God reminded Elijah of His past faithfulness by appearing to him at Mount Horeb, the same place where He had revealed Himself to Moses. Remembering God's past faithfulness can provide us with the strength and assurance we need to face present challenges. Elijah, despite his great victories and experiences of God's grace, found himself in a state of spiritual depression. This story is a timely lesson for us as we navigate our own challenges and prepare for the future. Elijah's depression was rooted in self-righteousness, self-pity, and self-importance, which led him to believe half-truths about his situation. He felt isolated and overwhelmed, forgetting God's past faithfulness and the presence of other faithful believers. [28:04]
Deuteronomy 7:9 (ESV): "Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations."
Reflection: Take a moment to reflect on a specific instance in your past where you experienced God's faithfulness. How can this memory encourage you in your current situation?
Day 4: God's Sovereignty Over the Future
Description: God is in control of both the present and the future. He instructed Elijah to anoint new leaders, showing that He had a plan and was still in charge. Trusting in God's sovereignty helps us to see beyond our immediate circumstances and have hope for the future. Elijah, despite his great victories and experiences of God's grace, found himself in a state of spiritual depression. This story is a timely lesson for us as we navigate our own challenges and prepare for the future. Elijah's depression was rooted in self-righteousness, self-pity, and self-importance, which led him to believe half-truths about his situation. He felt isolated and overwhelmed, forgetting God's past faithfulness and the presence of other faithful believers. [31:49]
Isaiah 46:9-10 (ESV): "Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.'"
Reflection: What are some future uncertainties that you are worried about? How can you trust in God's sovereignty and plan for your life?
Day 5: The Power of God's Gentle Whisper
Description: God often speaks to us not in grand, dramatic ways, but in gentle whispers. Elijah learned that God's presence is just as powerful in the small, quiet moments as in the big, miraculous events. We should be attentive to God's gentle guidance in our daily lives. Elijah, despite his great victories and experiences of God's grace, found himself in a state of spiritual depression. This story is a timely lesson for us as we navigate our own challenges and prepare for the future. Elijah's depression was rooted in self-righteousness, self-pity, and self-importance, which led him to believe half-truths about his situation. He felt isolated and overwhelmed, forgetting God's past faithfulness and the presence of other faithful believers. [37:27]
1 Kings 19:12-13 (ESV): "And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, 'What are you doing here, Elijah?'"
Reflection: In what small, quiet moments of your day can you be more attentive to God's gentle whisper? How can you create space to listen for His guidance?
Quotes
1. "A man's greatness is measured not by his talent or his wealth, but what it takes to discourage him. Man's greatness is measured by what it takes to discourage him. So, what it takes to discourage you, actually measures and even determines the size of your faith and greatness. So, let me ask you a question. What does it take to discourage you from following God and loving people? What does it take to stop you from going all in for Christ?" [11:07] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Spiritual depression is hard to shake. We must recognize spiritual depression is not something like a 24-hour virus that you take two Bible verses and then you just pray about it and the next day you'll be okay. Do you remember Elijah's death wish two weeks ago? It was so painful. So hard, he wanted to die. And by the way, he's the only prophet who had a death wish but never died. That's how amazing God's grace is." [15:23] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "As long as such a loving God is with us, you and I can overcome whatever discouragement and we can achieve greatness of faith in our life. So today I want to share with you causes of the depression or discouragement and the cure. Simple, cause and cure." [17:25] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "To avoid a spiritual depression we need to fill our minds with a gospel thought like this: I am the best person to become better than I am a great sinner but Christ is an even greater Savior. My troubles are more than I can bear but reason Christ is strong enough to carry them. God understands me because he even knows a number of my hairs. I'm not alone because of Christ promised me to be with me to the end of the world." [25:15] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "If a spiritual depression is a full of a self then the way out is through the grace of God. You know ever since the pandemic mental health pandemic kind of started and surging and whenever I pray for someone struggling with a mental mental health this is what I pray and I want you to really pray with me on that my prayer for people with a mental struggle you know struggling with a mental health is this they see the great greater objective reality of God's love more than their subjective reality of their struggle." [27:04] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "God is faithful in the past, sovereign over the future, and gentle in the present. So it's a future, future, I mean, past, future, and present. So let's look at the first one. God is faithful in the past. Verse 11. You know, God, you know, told Elijah to go out. And then God said, go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by." [28:04] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "God is sovereign in mega as well as in mini. Don't confuse God's faithfulness, with God's fabulousness. God is both faithful and fabulous in everything, in anything, both big and great. And that's a lesson for all of us today. What are the gentle, small, still things that you've been ignoring while God is trying to really speak and manifest himself to you?" [39:39] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "Dear brothers and sisters, our God is a gentle God. And I want you to know, gentleness is not weakness. Has nothing to do with timidity or, you know, being a, you know, coward. Actually, gentleness comes from power. It takes a strength. Sometimes even God-given strength, to be a gentle. You know what I'm saying, right? Gentle, to be gentle with the people that you don't love, people that you don't disagree, it requires a great deal of faith and power and faith in God." [47:48] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "Your gentle whisper is more powerful than any roar in this world. Your love is so amazing that we forgot. Your acceptance of each one of us is greater than any achievement we made for you. We've been paying attention to spectacular things, but you've been loving us in a small everything, in such a sensitive, caring way. Help us to really see your gentle love, your small yet faithful love for each one of us." [49:54] (51 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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