Giving Up

Giving Up

Bible: 1 Kings 19:11-18

I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too (V.14).

Have you ever felt like giving up? Elijah did. God had just used him to show the people of Israel that God was really God (1 KINGS 18). Then the threats of Queen Jezebel made Elijah run away to Beersheba, 100 miles south (19:3).

Then he walked another 150 miles south to Horeb, the mountain of God. Twice God asked Elijah what he was doing there (VV.9,13). Both times he answered with the same words: “I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too” (VV.10,14). He had become so caught up in his own worry that he had forgotten what God had done through him at Mount Carmel
(18:16-46). Even though he had seen God’s power, Elijah fell into depression. How easy it is for us to do the same.

God did not allow Elijah to quit. Instead, He told his tired servant to handle three major tasks (19:15-17). And by the way, Elijah was wrong when he said he was the only person left who obeyed God. God had 7,000 others who had not bowed down to fake gods (V.18). Perhaps, like Elijah, you are struggling with the things you’re going through right now. Let God speak to you (V.12). Instead of allowing you to quit, He will show you what you can do through His strength.

To Pray About…

Father, You know what I’m going through today. Please help me to keep going. Give me the strength to trust You with everything.

IT’S ALWAYS TOO SOON TO QUIT.

Youth Edition – Our Daily Bread Ministries