June5-11: Optimism: Happiness and Healing

Teaching Points

1. Do key leaders of God sometimes face discouragement? After one of the greatest demonstrations of God’s power in answer to prayer what happened to Elijah and how can this be an encouragement to us? 

ANSWER:

• 1 Kings 19:2-4—He fled from Jezebel and wanted to die.
• After such a great victory Elijah suddenly loses heart and fails to trust God.
• He actually feels like a failure—“no better than my fathers.” 

2. How did God show His mercy and understanding to Elijah in his down state?

ANSWER:

• 1Kings 19:5-7—An angel gave him water and food.
• Perhaps his depression was caused in part from dehydration, low blood sugar, and exhaustion.
• Even in this weak, low time, God took care of him and gave him evidence of His presence.

3. What lesson did God try to teach Elijah after this experience? 

ANSWER:

• 1 Kings 19:11-12—God’s chosen method of communication is not through great display but through a still small voice.
• 1 Kings 19:14-16—God is working though one may not see the evidence right away.

OBSERVATION:

• Even some of the greatest men of God have become discouraged.
• God does not leave us when we are discouraged. But He tenderly seeks to send us the help we need to overcome our discouragement. 
• God wants us to learn to recognize His still small voice and recognize that God is still at work though we may not see the results as soon as we think we should.
• We are not alone. Just as God is working with us, He is also working with others. 

5. What counsel helped Elijah and could also help us in hard situations?

ANSWER:

• Psa. 46:10—Be still and know God. He will be exalted in the earth.

6. What state of mind will we have if we keep our minds on God?

ANSWER:

• Isa. 26:3—We will have complete peace.

7. How should we feel about God when we trust Him?

ANSWER:

• Psa. 5:11—we should rejoice and shout for joy.
• Psa. 16:11—In God’s presence is fullness of joy. 

8. What should we remember about God that will keep us positive and joyful?

ANSWER:

• Psa. 103—God’s amazing, tender mercy toward us.

OBSERVATION:

• God wants us to be still and realize that He is with us and that He is working.
• When we keep our minds trusting in God and not let ourselves get distracted from Him we will have complete peace.
• This trust relationship brings joy to our hearts.
• Remembering God’s goodness to us will help keep our minds on God and keep us joyful and positive.

SOP

• Those who work for God will meet with discouragement, but the promise is always theirs: “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” Matthew 28:20. God will give a most wonderful experience to those who will say: “I believe Thy promise; I will not fail nor become discouraged.” {The Colporteur Evangelist 85.1}  
• From Elijah's experience during those days of discouragement and apparent defeat, there are many lessons to be drawn,--lessons invaluable to the servants of God in this age, marked as it is by general departure from right. The apostasy prevailing today is similar to that which in the prophet's day overspread Israel. In the exaltation of the human above the divine, in the praise of popular leaders, in the worship of mammon, and in the placing of the teachings of science above the truths of revelation, multitudes today are following after Baal. Doubt and unbelief are exercising their baleful influence over mind and heart, and many are substituting for the oracles of God the theories of men. It is publicly taught that we have reached a time when human reason should be exalted above the teachings of the Word. The law of God, the divine standard of righteousness, is declared to be of no effect. The enemy of all truth is working with deceptive power to cause men and women to place human institutions where God should be, and to forget that which was ordained for the happiness and salvation of mankind. Yet this apostasy, widespread as it has come to be, is not universal. Not all in the world are lawless and sinful; not all have taken sides with the enemy. God has many thousands who have not bowed the knee to Baal, many who long to understand more fully in regard to Christ and the law, many who are hoping against hope that Jesus will come soon to end the reign of sin and death. And there are many who have been worshiping Baal ignorantly, but with whom the Spirit of God is still striving.--Prophets and Kings, pp. 170, 171

CONCLUSION:

• Even God’s people can get discouraged but God is faithful even in this time of need.
• God is right there beside us when we’re at our lowest points.
• Elijah needed to be still and realize that God was at work and cared for him. Elijah was not alone.
• We need to be still and listen to God, realizing that we are not alone too and that God is at work even though we don’t see it.
• Perfect trust in God brings joy and peace to us.
• Remembering what God has done and can do for us can keep us praising Him. 

APPLICATION QUESTIONS:

• Are you being still to listen to God’s voice?
• Are you developing complete trust in Him and blessing Him for what He has done for you?
• Are you taking time to rejoice in God’s presence?
• Are you letting God be in control of your life, realizing that He is working and in His time will accomplish what is best?