Elijah - Week Two

Elijah – Week TwoAs a prophet during a time of unbelievable idolatry and immorality, Elijah stood against the evil all around him. Could we stand with the same conviction? Would we stand for God even if we’re alone? We’ll help answer these questions by studying:How Elijah had to go through difficulties.The two reasons why God told Elijah to go and hide.Some lessons we can learn from Elijah.Elijah had to go through difficulties to become the man of God he needed to be. 1 Kings 17:1  Elijah pronounces to King Ahab that there would be a drought.1 Kings 17:2-3  God tells Elijah to flee.There are two reasons why God told Elijah to go and hide.1st – To protect Elijah from Ahab.2nd – There was a lesson that Elijah needed to learn.1 Kings 17:4  God tells Elijah how he will survive, by depending on God.1 Kings 17:5  Elijah did what God told him to do.God provided for Elijah, but there were hardships. (1 Kings 17:6,7)There are some lessons we can learn from Elijah.1st – The God who gives the water has the right to take the water. (Isaiah 49:14-16)2nd – God’s journey for your life includes God’s provision. (Matthew 6:34)“You must live today, today.”“You cannot live tomorrow, today.”William Elliot: The reason why so many of us are so stressed out, tense, distracted and anxious is because we have never mastered the art of living one day at a time. Physically we do live a day at a time—we can’t help ourselves. But mentally we live in all three tenses at once, and that will not work. 3rd – A dried up brook is often a sign of God’s pleasure, not God’s disappointment.When God wants to drill a man,And thrill a man, and skill a man, When God wants to mold a manTo play the noblest part;When He yearns with all His heartTo create so great and bold a manThat all the world shall be amazed,Watch His methods, watch His ways!How He ruthlessly perfectsWhom He royally elects!How He hammers him and hurts him,And with mighty blows converts himInto trial shapes of clay whichOnly God understands;While his tortured heart is cryingAnd he lifts beseeching hands!How He bends but never breaksWhen his good He undertakes;How He uses whom He chooses,  And which every purpose, fuses him;By every act induces himTo try His splendor out-God knows what He’s about – Anonymous