THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD'S WAY PART III
THE CAVE OF WITHDRAWAL PART II
When we become heartsick with disappointment and discouragement, we also lose perspective. We feel that we are responsible for the results. We must remember, apart from the cooperating work of the Holy Spirit, no man can change another person's heart, much less the heart of a city or nation.
Most of Elijah's discouragement came from the false expectations he had placed upon himself. Upon receiving an assignment from the Lord, it is not hard to begin immediately to imagine the results. We project ourselves prematurely into a place of success and fulfillment. Yet, we do not know what the results will be, only that we should obey the Lord. We must leave the fulfillment into the hands of Him who does exceedingly abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us( Ephesians 3:20 ). Elijah withdrew into a cave on Horeb. For us, self-pity can also become a spiritual cave. It can trap us in a dark hole of loneliness and pain. In this place of isolation we fail to hear the encouragement of God: all we really hear is the echo of our own voice magnifying and distorting our problems. Elijah was alone and despairing, yet the Lord knew his heart. What are you doing hear the Lord asked. And he said, I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thine prophets with the sword: and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life to take it away ( I Kings 19:10 ).
When we become heartsick with disappointment and discouragement, we also lose perspective. We feel that we are responsible for the results. We must remember, apart from the cooperating work of the Holy Spirit, no man can change another person's heart, much less the heart of a city or nation.
Most of Elijah's discouragement came from the false expectations he had placed upon himself. Upon receiving an assignment from the Lord, it is not hard to begin immediately to imagine the results. We project ourselves prematurely into a place of success and fulfillment. Yet, we do not know what the results will be, only that we should obey the Lord. We must leave the fulfillment into the hands of Him who does exceedingly abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us( Ephesians 3:20 ). Elijah withdrew into a cave on Horeb. For us, self-pity can also become a spiritual cave. It can trap us in a dark hole of loneliness and pain. In this place of isolation we fail to hear the encouragement of God: all we really hear is the echo of our own voice magnifying and distorting our problems. Elijah was alone and despairing, yet the Lord knew his heart. What are you doing hear the Lord asked. And he said, I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thine prophets with the sword: and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life to take it away ( I Kings 19:10 ).
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