He Sees Your Tears - perhaps you’re in a season when tears are coming and going. It is in those seasons that God is doing his most incredible work. Through tears wrought within the peril and weakness of a Christian’s pilgrimage, God is bending low to hear His child’s cries. Christ conquered sin and death in His resurrection. The promise is life beyond this life for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Our tears have a purpose. They remind us of our need. They remind us that even Christ’s tears fell. They remind us that tears will one day be no more. “… and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain ..."

Are you in a season of tears? 

Is the anguish of consequences from misdeeds long ago repented of still lingering?

Is the anxiety climbing as you consider future financial prospects in light of your current bank account status?

Is fear mounting as you wait for the subsequent treatments or to hear about the pending diagnosis? 

Is pressure building as you endure your children’s or grandchildren’s decisions? 

Are tears falling from engaging in that sin you said you wouldn’t ever do again? 

Are the tears niggling for reasons you don’t quite know because everything around you seem to be going so well?

Perhaps you’re in a season where tears are coming and going. 

Let me encourage you; it is in those seasons that God is doing his most incredible work. 

Through tears wrought within the peril and weakness of a Christian’s pilgrimage, God is bending low to hear His child’s cries.

The Psalmist unhesitatingly declares that God stores away our tears, 

“You have taken account of my wanderings; put my tears in Your bottle” - (Psalm 56:8).

Isaiah expectantly informs Hezekiah after he wept bitterly before the Lord, 

“Return and say to Hezekiah the leader of My people, ‘Thus says the Lord, the God of your father David, “I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; behold, I will heal you. 

"On the third day you shall go up to the house of the Lord” - (2 Kings 20:5).

In this season …

Be careful not to elevate your interests and ambitions.

Oswald Chambers argues that if that is the case, you cannot be completely aligned or identified with God’s interests (Utmost, Nov 10).

Be careful that you’re not allowing yourself to descend into self-pity. 

To this, Chambers continues, “Self-pity is of the devil, and if I wallow in it I cannot be used by God for His purpose in the world.

"Doing this creates for me my own cozy ‘world within the world,’ and God will not be allowed to move me from it because of my fear of being ‘frost-bitten’” - (Utmost, Nov 10).

In a season of tears, the Christian embraces this one great principle. An aspect of existence that Peter and all the followers of Christ must embrace:

Christ is sufficient.

Christ’s sufficiency is therefore exemplified in that 

(1) He not only satisfied the Law (which we broke and became cursed) in His life, 

(2) He took our curse on the cross for the sin of mankind in His death, and 

(3) He conquered sin and death in His resurrection.

The promise is life beyond this life for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

Thus, practically speaking, our tears have a purpose:

They remind us of our need.

They remind us that even Christ’s tears fell.

They remind us that tears will one day be no more.

“… and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; 

"and there will no longer be any death; 

"there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain;

"the first things have passed away.” - Revelation 21:4

by Drew Anderson 

Drew Anderson serves as an Associate Teaching Pastor at Denton Bible Church. He has the privilege of investing each week in the Young Adults, Pre-Marrieds, and Married Bible Fellowship ministries of Denton Bible. He’s a graduate of Dallas Seminary with a ThM, Texas A&M, and most importantly, he and his wife are currently preparing three lovely daughters to launch into life.

www.staffandstones.com

Preach It, Teach It resources are used in 228 countries and territories around the world. Our goal is to give our readers excellent resources at no cost. We are committed to providing you with creatively designed, biblically solid, cutting-edge materials for Christian pastors, missionaries and Bible teachers, seeking to equip them with sermons, Bible studies, devotionals and other practical leadership tools for Christian ministry. Because Preach It, Teach It seeks to address the needs of Christian workers by employing three generations of contributing pastors from across the country and across the world, we hope to present to you varied perspectives and ministry styles, as well as international resources in many languages.

preachitteachit.org

Amy Lambert - Tears Are a Language God Understands [Live] (youtube.com)

Tears Are a Language God Understands - Amy Lambert 

lyrics Often you wonder why tears come into your eyes And burdens seem to be much more than you can bear But God is standing near, He sees your falling tears And tears are a language God understands. God sees the tears of a brokenhearted soul He sees your tears and hears them when they fall God weeps along with man and He takes him by the hand Tears are a language God understands. When grief has left you low it causes tears to flow When things have not turned out the way that you had planned But God won't forget you His promises are true And tears are a language God understands. God sees the tears of a brokenhearted soul He sees your tears and hears them when they fall God weeps along with man and He takes him by the hand Tears are a language that my God He understands. God weeps along with man and He takes him by the hand Tears are a language God understands.

You may also like:

A teardrop on earth summons the King of Heaven - God takes special notice of those tears of yours. In some mysterious way, our complex inner-communication system knows when to admit its verbal limitations . . . and the tears come. Most often they appear when our soul is overwhelmed with feelings that words cannot describe. Our tears may flow during the singing of a great, majestic hymn or when we are alone, lost in some vivid memory or wrestling in prayer. Eyes that flashed and sparkled only moments before are flooded from a secret reservoir. We try in vain to restrain the flow, but even strong men falter. The Lord takes note of our inner friction when hard times are oiled by tears - He enters them into the record He keeps on our lives

The Lord Keeps Our Tears in His Bottle - the Lord takes account of all our sadness and all our pain, all the salty teardrops that flow from our eyes and all the silent groans that rend the inner parts of our being. Even in times of deep sadness and distress, we gain a closer intimacy with our Father - sorrow will be turned into joy and tears will be turned into laughter. We have a God Who knows and loves and cares for everything that causes His children pain. Even in these times of deep sadness and distress, we can gain a closer intimacy with our Father through the things that we suffer in obedience to His will. And we will gain a closeness to His heart of love, and a depth of understanding of our God that we never imagined possible

Your Tears Have An Expiration Date - God will wipe away every tear - there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away. This is the “restitution of all things,” and the deliverance of creation from the bondage of corruption which Paul anticipates. No words can portray in positive description what that universe will be, and even the inspired writer has to confine himself to negatives. Let us see to it that here and now the Lord Jesus is the Alpha and Omega, the A and Z of our life. But we must overcome. Note that the fearful, that is, the cowardly, who draw back in the face of opposition, are classed with the abominable and murderers

Temporary Darkness, Eternal Light - some depression comes from simply feeling the crushing weight of pain and brokenness in one’s life and the lives of others. But when we feel burdened, we may be joining the whole of creation in groaning because of a suffering world. We’re in good company, for “the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.” Our lives should reflect a groaning that gives way to joy, celebrating what God has done for us in Christ and thanking Him that He will rescue us once and for all from evil and suffering. So long as you can sweeten another’s pain, life is not in vain. The bright light of the New Heaven and the New Earth is coming, so close that even now it is almost within reach

God is portrayed in Scripture as full of light. 

He has a bright radiance, seen by Moses and Elijah and Isaiah and the apostle John and shown in Christ at the Transfiguration. 

The apostle John is emphatic:

“God is light; in him there is no darkness at all” - (1 John 1:5).

Psalm 18 speaks of “the brightness of his presence” (verse 12).

Yet paradoxically also speaks of Him coming down from the heavens with “dark clouds” under His feet (verse 9).

We’re told of God that “he made darkness his covering, his canopy around him — the dark rain clouds of the sky” (verse 11). 

How do dark clouds fit with the brightness of the noonday sun? 

Somehow it relates to the fallen human condition and the difficulty of seeing the full light of God’s presence in a world still under the Curse.

While I don’t suffer chronic depression, I’ve had a few periods of several months of depression that have awakened me to its reality and the hold it can take. 

A novelist friend wrote me:

I pleaded with God for healing and understanding. I thought if I could just understand it, I’d somehow solve it.

Never, in all my years of being a Christian, did I cling to God so closely. 

Never had I talked to Him so honestly. 

Those weeks, months, and even years of questioning and searching drew me nearer to Him. 

Walking through my discontent led me to a life so much richer than the one I’d been living. 

God used my depression and pain for something so much greater than I could envision. 

I’ve learned that there is purpose in struggle … even when we can’t see it.

When I posted a blog about a time of depression I was experiencing, a few people expressed shock that someone who had written about subjects such as grace and Heaven could ever be depressed! 

I had to laugh, since far better people than I have experienced far worse depression — Charles Spurgeon, Martin Luther, John Owen, and William Cowper, to name a few.

Some depression comes from simply feeling the crushing weight of pain and brokenness in one’s life and the lives of others around the globe. 

Of course, self-preoccupied woe-is-me depression quickly becomes deeply unhealthy. 

But sometimes when we feel burdened, we may simply be joining the whole of creation in groaning because of a suffering world. 

In that case, we’re in good company, for “the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express” - (Romans 8:26).

It’s no sin to feel that burden, and sometimes it’s a sin not to. 

Some of what passes for Christian contentment is, in fact, apathy toward the plight of God’s image-bearers.

Our lives should reflect a groaning that gives way to joy, celebrating what God has done for us in Christ and thanking Him that He will rescue us once and for all from evil and suffering.

Helen Keller, blind and deaf since a toddler, wrote,

“Although the world is full of suffering it is also full of the overcoming of it. 

"Believe, when you are most unhappy, that there is something for you to do in the world. 

"So long as you can sweeten another’s pain, life is not in vain.”

Psalm 18, after speaking of both light and darkness, ends beautifully: 

“You, O Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light” - (verse 28).

The darkness of the soul will not go on unbroken in this life. 

But even if it did, the bright light of the New Heaven and the New Earth is coming, so close that even now it is almost within reach: 

“The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp” - (Revelation 21:23).

Lord, rescue us from the darkness of sin, and shine upon us the light of forgiveness. 

But rescue us too from the dark night of the soul that sometimes falls upon even the righteous, who confess their sins and seek your face yet still walk under a gloomy cloud of depression.

Reassure us that we are in good company, for many of your great saints have so suffered. 

Lord, help us trust you until the darkness lifts.

But please break through it and be pleased to shine upon us — not just in eternity but even now — the light of joy.

Excerpted from Randy's devotional 90 Days of God's Goodness.

Randy Alcorn 

Randy Alcorn (@randyalcorn) is the author of over sixty books and the founder and director of Eternal Perspective Ministries. 

epm.org

You might also like:

God Is Not Disappointed With You for Having Anxiety or Depression - when pain of any kind makes us less capable of engaging in relationships, we experience it as suffering. A certain strength is required to endure the pain that lingers. Prolonged pain can also become shame, a hidden hurt that says God might not love us after all. Jesus didn’t stand at a distance from the afflicted but consistently moved toward them with comfort and care. No part of you is too broken, lifeless or lost for our Good Shepherd to seek out, and He extends His goodness and love

Walking Through Life Alone - we need others all through life because there is built in us a fundamental need for other people Hopefully, someone will come along and tell you that God loves you and that God himself can give you his grace and peace. You may have been rejected, abandoned or worse, have been abused by others. Nobody is a whole team. We need each other. You need someone, someone needs you. We’re not isolated islands. Study the Bible. Meditate on those verses that tell you who you are. Make an effort to make new friends. Loneliness can be overcome. The Lord will fulfil his promise, "For me your love O Lord endures forever"

When Life Falls Apart - God loves you. He cares about what happens in your life now. He knows the pain and feeling of loss in your heart. Grief and loss can hurt so much. Yesterday’s hurts can be healed. Jesus loves us so much that He was willing to pay the sin price for us so we can be with Him in heaven someday. He is the only sinless man who ever lived, but He took on the sins of the whole world and shed His blood so we can be free and forgiven. He sees all that you have gone through and He wants to bring you peace. That peace can be found today - not just in eternity

Streams in my desert: Changing Perspectives - the Psalmist was discouraged, thinking sad thoughts and, as a result, experiencing sad feelings. A crucial moment occurred when he remembered who God is and what God had done. Then he was able to place his confidence in God. And he was able to praise God for being his Savior

Streams in my desert: Blue Christmas - Coping with Loneliness at Christmas - one of Elvis Presley’s most popular songs was “Blue Christmas.” A lonely crooner mourns heartbreaking lost love. Thinking about that song make you depressed. Several factors can produce Christmas blues. Depression can lead to thoughts of suicide, especially among the socially isolated. Does Christmas “Ho, Ho, Ho” contrast with your deep anguish? God cares for you, values you, will listen to you and comfort you. You can trust Him. “Since God did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t God, who gave us Christ, also give us everything else?”

Streams in my desert: What the Bible Says About Spiritual Warfare - doubt, anxiety and depression will keep you out of the Bible. The Bible will keep you out of doubt, anxiety and depression. The assurance of our salvation is our helmet - renew our minds while rejecting all doubts. When the accuser reminds you of your past, remind him of his future. There is such power in God’s Word if we’d only tap it daily. The Sword must be kept sharp because rust never sleeps. Pull out the Sword, quote Scripture, pray always. Then you can stand firm against the schemes of the Devil

The Habit of Recognizing God’s Provision - God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you … may have an abundance. Lavish the grace of God on others, generously giving of yourself. We are made “partakers of the divine nature,” receiving and sharing God’s own nature through His promises. Be identified with God’s nature, and His blessing will flow through you all the time. God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you … may have an abundance

"… you may be partakers of the divine nature …" - 2 Peter 1:4

We are made “partakers of the divine nature,” receiving and sharing God’s own nature through His promises. 

Then we have to work that divine nature into our human nature by developing godly habits. 

The first habit to develop is the habit of recognizing God’s provision for us. 

We say, however, “Oh, I can’t afford it.” 

One of the worst lies is wrapped up in that statement.

We talk as if our heavenly Father has cut us off without a penny! 

We think it is a sign of true humility to say at the end of the day, “Well, I just barely got by today, but it was a severe struggle.” 

And yet all of Almighty God is ours in the Lord Jesus!

And He will reach to the last grain of sand and the remotest star to bless us if we will only obey Him.

Does it really matter that our circumstances are difficult? 

Why shouldn’t they be! 

If we give way to self–pity and indulge in the luxury of misery, we remove God’s riches from our lives and hinder others from entering into His provision. 

No sin is worse than the sin of self–pity, because it removes God from the throne of our lives, replacing Him with our own self–interests. 

It causes us to open our mouths only to complain, and we simply become spiritual sponges — always absorbing, never giving, and never being satisfied. 

And there is nothing lovely or generous about our lives.

Before God becomes satisfied with us, He will take everything of our so–called wealth, until we learn that He is our Source; as the psalmist said, 

“All my springs are in You” - (Psalm 87:7). 

If the majesty, grace, and power of God are not being exhibited in us, God holds us responsible. 

“God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you … may have an abundance …” - (2 Corinthians 9:8).

Then learn to lavish the grace of God on others, generously giving of yourself. 

Be marked and identified with God’s nature, and His blessing will flow through you all the time.

Bible in One Year: 2 Kings 24-25; John 5:1-24

WISDOM FROM OSWALD CHAMBERS

We begin our Christian life by believing what we are told to believe, then we have to go on to so assimilate our beliefs that they work out in a way that redounds to the glory of God. 

The danger is in multiplying the acceptation of beliefs we do not make our own.

from Conformed to His Image

The Life of Oswald Chambers

Oswald Chambers was born in Scotland and spent much of his boyhood there. His ministry of teaching and preaching took him for a time to the United States and Japan.

The last six years of his life were spent as principal of the Bible Training College in London, and as a chaplain to British Commonwealth troops in Egypt during World War l.

After his death, the books which bear his name were compiled by his wife from her own verbatim shorthand notes of his talks.

odb.org

You might also like:

Nothing Will Be Able to Separate Us From the Love of God in Christ Jesus - it is impossible to build up our faith through human strength or ability. Without the Holy Spirit, we simply aren’t able to keep ourselves in the knowledge and assurance of God’s love for us. We need God’s Spirit to empower us in all things. When everything seems to conspire against God’s promises being fulfilled, the Holy Spirit rises up in us with true words of comfort

Signs and Wonders - signs and wonders have specific purposes. God uses them to identify His message and help those who earnestly seek Him. He does not use them according to our agenda, but His. He still sometimes validates His message by showing seekers and new believers His power in miraculous ways. When someone first comes to Christ, they are often miraculously healed from a particular sin. They may see their prayers answered in powerful ways. And they may be suddenly aware of God's work directly in their lives

God Will Give Us More Than We Can Handle — But Not More Than He Can - trials come in all shapes and sizes. Overwhelming suffering will come our way because we live in a broken world with broken people. And when it comes, let’s be clear ahead of time that we don’t have what it takes. When our strength is failing under crushing burdens God gives power to the faint and increases the strength of the weak. The power comes from him to those who wait on him

Crown your mind perfecting holiness out of reverence for God - New Covenant believers are "a royal priesthood" and are called to live a holy life, dedicated to God and separated from the world in our thoughts and intentions. Our thought life is constantly challenged from within and without. You have the mind of Christ. Crown yourself with thoughts that are pure as gold by taking control of that ceaseless flow. You'll be amazed at how your life will change under the influence of Jesus' mind

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." - Romans 12:2  

We're seeking to 'perfect holiness' [2 Corinthians 7:1] and pursuing a deeper level of dedication and consecration during this season.

"Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.

"Make room for us in your hearts. 

"We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have exploited no one."

In ancient times, the high priest of Israel wore a crown of pure gold on his head called a Nezer, which comes from the word “nazar”. 

This word "nazar" means to dedicate, consecrate and sacredly separate.

The word “nazarite” comes from this root and describes someone who has taken a vow to be separated from the world.

New Covenant believers are called "a royal priesthood" [1 Peter 2:9].

And we also, are called to live a holy life, dedicated to God and separated from the world in our thoughts and intentions. 

It's not always an easy task. 

Our thought life is constantly challenged from within and without. 

In this battle, the crown of the high priest can be a powerful symbol for us; the beauty and purity of gold standing for the beauty and purity of thinking with the mind of Messiah. 

Since Yeshua (Jesus) was the perfect "Nazarite", set apart in absolute purity, His thoughts were always "golden".

In communion with Him by His spirit, our thought life too, can move more and more toward His perfect mind.

Philippians 4:8 says this; "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things." 

This, as believers, is our mandate to "positive thinking". 

In this world, negativity, cynicism, and impurity abound, and it becomes easier and easier to dwell on things that are depressing and sinful, impure and evil.

But these thoughts must be cut off and destroyed from our minds. 

Thoughts of lust, jealousy, covetousness, and self-pity will take us away from our Lord, and need to be taken captive before they get a foothold. Replace them with those of Philippians 4:8.

You have the mind of Messiah [1 Corinthians 2:16].

"For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?" 

"But we have the mind of Christ. 

"For, 'Who can know the LORD 's thoughts? Who knows enough to teach him?' 

"But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ."

Choose to know and think with it. 

Crown yourself with thoughts that are pure as gold by taking control of that ceaseless flow.

You'll be amazed at how your life will change under the influence of Yeshua's mind!

Make the determination this season to transform your mind on those thoughts above. 

In doing so, you'll find yourself changing the world around you -- for His Glory and for His Kingdom!

Worthy Devotions

You might also like:

When the Darkness Hits - our most vulnerable moments usually come after a great victory, especially if that victory is a mountaintop experience with God

God’s Holy Name - the Lord wants you to know that you can trust Him to take care of everything - he will defend His name and accomplish His purposes. This is a day to renew your faith in Him. Worship Him. Serve Him. Trust Him

You Are Royalty - Heirs of God - Joint heirs with Christ - We are part of a Heavenly Kingdom

Accepting Both The Bad And The Good - God is great and I am not. He is pure and He knows best. You get your mind set in that direction, and you are on your way to humility. You are on your way to saying with Job, “Shall we accept good from God and not also trouble?” If you can say that without a hint of self-pity or bitterness, believe me, you have said it all. After losing his family, property, his health, his respect in the community, even respect from his wife, Job makes this astounding statement. When you come right down to it, that is a hard, but very humble thing to say. “Woe to those who quarrel with their Maker … Does the clay say to the Potter, ‘what are you making?’”

It is so hard to accept – I mean really accept – difficult things from the Lord. 

Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada, and there are many things that I like about Job, but perhaps the best thing is that he accepted both good and bad from the hand of God. 

After losing his family, property, his health, his respect in the community, even respect from his wife, Job makes this astounding statement in chapter 2, verse 10. 

He says, “Shall we accept good from God and not trouble?” 

When you come right down to it, that is a hard, but very humble thing to say. 

And when I broke my neck decades ago, it took me such a long time before I could agree with Job and accept not only good from God, but also the trouble that paralysis brought into my life. 

At first, I tried coping in my wheelchair. 

And that worked for a while. 

Then I tried resigning myself to my situation, but that only seemed to foster more self-pity. 

Then I threw my hands up in the air, as it were, and just gave up. 

“I’m frustrated, almost resentful, that it has to be this way, but okay, I’ll accept quadriplegia.”

But I had merely submerged my rebellion under that. 

I had said, “Okay, God, I give up,” but I still coddled a lot of bitterness in my heart. 

So, coping, submitting, resigning myself to what had to be – none of it worked. 

And maybe you identify. 

If so, let me tell you what finally did work. A little humility. 

The kind of humility talked about in Philippians where even Jesus made himself nothing before the Father. 

I needed that same attitude: God is great and I am not. 

He is pure and I am dirty. 

He knows best, and I’m far from it. 

God is wise and I’ve got miles to go.

You get your mind set in that direction, and you are on your way to humility. 

You are on your way to saying with Job, “Shall we accept good from God and not also trouble?” 

And look, if you can say that without a hint of self-pity or bitterness, believe me, you have said it all.

When you contentedly accept good from God and also trouble, you are not only in a league with Job.

You are in a league with Jeremiah who said, “Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that both calamities and good things come?” 

You are also in a league with Isaiah who said, “Woe to those who quarrel with their Maker… Does the clay say to the Potter, ‘what are you making?’” 

Oh, friend, to be considered in the ranks of Job or Jeremiah and Isaiah!

That can be you today if you will but humble yourself and gracefully accept both good things and bad things from the hand of God. 

Do you want to do that? 

Would you like to be in a league with Jeremiah and Isaiah and Job? 

You can, you know, and it begins with humbling yourself before the God of the Bible. 

And to help you to do this, my good friend Dave Deuel has written an excellent little booklet called “Is God Listening?” 

It’s a marvelous collection of insights about the wise sovereignty of God and how He answers the prayers of people like, well, like me, when I was resentful about my paralysis and all the trouble it caused. 

I know these insights in this booklet will help you rise above any tinge of self-pity over your hardships, so contact joniradio.org today and ask for your gift, this special booklet, “Is God Listening?” 

Again, that’s joniradio.org. 

And finally, if you are frustrated in your troubles, then please, get on your knees so to speak, get humble, and then get in the ranks with Job and Jeremiah and even Isaiah. 

Oh, and one more thing. 

I want to send you a copy of our Joni and Friends newsletter. 

So just go to joniradio.org.

Joni and Friends

We bring practical help and Gospel hope to people with disabilities around the world. To glorify God as we communicate the Gospel and mobilize the global church to evangelize, disciple, and serve people living with disability.

joniandfriends.org

You might also like:

If God is good why does He create evil? - God does not create moral evil. Moral evil does not conform to God and His will. God is good, holy and loving - His plans and purposes are good, holy, and loving. As Ruler of the universe, God sometimes creates calamity to accomplish His will. God can make light or darkness and create peace or calamity. God’s sovereign rule over all things good and bad is cause for hope in the lives of believers today

Life is meaningless without the Lord sitting on the throne of our lives - the cycle of life and death is unaffected by a man's position, power, prosperity, or poverty, for all are destined to die. Man's failure is a result of man's own self-effort, striving, and human pride, because God is excluded from people's lives. When God is put in His rightful position in our heart, then we are kept by His almighty power. When wisdom, skill, prosperity, and power, are under God's sovereign influence and control, then life has meaning

God is More Than Enough to Deliver - we are reliant on a God whose powers go beyond all other powers in existence including that of death. We are his and when he allows us to be confronted by trials we must know that no power can triumph over his purposes for us. The work he does in each of us is for a lifetime and can change a church and a nation as powerfully as he changes one human heart. No circumstance is beyond his power to deliver

When the Darkness Hits - our most vulnerable moments usually come after a great victory, especially if that victory is a mountaintop experience with God. Self-pity will lie to you. Drive you to tears. It will cultivate a victim mentality in your head. And in the worst-case scenario, it can bring you to the point of wishing to die. We open the door for that pathetic liar, self-pity, when we establish an unrealistic standard and then can't live up to it. Self-pity mauls its way inside our minds like a beast and claws us to shreds

"When Ahab got home, he told Jezebel everything Elijah had done, including the way he had killed all the prophets of Baal. 

"So Jezebel sent this message to Elijah: 'May the gods strike me and even kill me if by this time tomorrow I have not killed you just as you killed them.'

"Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. He went to Beersheba, a town in Judah, and he left his servant there." - (1 Kings 19:1–3)

Why did Elijah fear Jezebel's intimidating threats? 

Why did he run away from his longstanding priority of serving God and hide in fear under the shadow of that solitary tree, deep in the wilderness?

First, Elijah was not thinking realistically or clearly. He was so shortsighted that he failed to consider the source of this threat. 

Think about it. 

The threat hadn't come from God; it had come from an unbelieving, carnal human being who lived her godless life light-years from God. 

If Elijah had been thinking clearly and realistically, he would have realized this.

Second, Elijah separated himself from strengthening relationships.

Third, Elijah was caught in the backwash of a great victory. 

Our most vulnerable moments usually come after a great victory, especially if that victory is a mountaintop experience with God. 

That's when we need to set up a defense against the enemy.

Fourth, Elijah was physically exhausted and emotionally spent. 

For years Elijah had lived on the edge.

He was a wanted, hunted man, considered by the king to be Public Enemy Number One. 

There is little doubt that Elijah had come to the end of his rope physically and, for sure, emotionally — all of which couldn't help but weaken him spiritually. 

I don't know if Elijah was disgusted, but I can tell you he was exhausted. 

You can hear it in his weary words: "It is enough; now, O LORD, take my life, for I am not better than my fathers."

Fifth, Elijah got lost in self-pity. 

Self-pity is a pathetic emotion.

It will lie to you. Exaggerate. Drive you to tears. 

It will cultivate a victim mentality in your head. 

And in the worst-case scenario, it can bring you to the point of wishing to die, which is exactly where Elijah was.

We open the door for that pathetic liar, self-pity, when we establish an unrealistic standard and then can't live up to it. 

Self-pity mauls its way inside our minds like a beast and claws us to shreds.

Scriptures: 1 Kings 19:1–9

by Pastor Chuck Swindoll

Taken from Great Days with the Great Lives by Charles Swindoll

insight.org

Related Links:

Accepting Both The Bad And The Good - “Shall we accept good from God and not trouble?

The Rock that Protects and Saves - we can always find refuge, comfort, peace, and hope in our Lord

Crown your mind perfecting holiness out of reverence for God - we are called to live a holy life, dedicated to God and separated from the world in our thoughts and intentions