Finding God in Despair, part 2
Sometimes the obvious is easily overlooked. We all have the ability to miss an answer that is directly in front of us. Humans have an amazing ability to spot what we are looking for, but easily miss unrelated details outside of our direct attention. Why does this matter? It is easy to overlook God when overwhelmed with a problem that leads to despair.
There is a bible story in 1 Kings 19 that helps me reorient my thinking when necessary. I turn to it often when I feel distracted or discouraged in relation to God, his people, and his work. I encourage you to read the entire chapter when you have time. However, I will summarize a few highlights in this article.
The prophet Elijah had a monumental victory over a group of false prophets in 1 Kings 18, the previous chapter. God demonstrated his power in front of many people and the false prophets were seized and killed. However, this victory was not appreciated by Jezebel, the wife of King Ahab. She sent a servant to Elijah to give him a warning. She vowed that he would be killed just like the prophets of the false god, Baal (1 Kings 19.1-2).
Even though we are not privileged to his thoughts, the following actions of Elijah are interesting. He fled to the wilderness and asked God to take his life (1 Kings 19.4). He initially states that he was no better than his fathers (1 Kings 19.4). He later describes his frustration that the people of Israel had forsaken God and even killed the Lord’s prophets (1 Kings 19.14). He felt alone in his service to God (1 Kings 19.14).
The text does not lead us to presume that his feelings were exaggerated. He appears to be a man in despair. This despair was great enough for him to even ask God for death. We need to remember that this was an amazing man of God. He was a prophet who accomplished great things for God. He knew God was with him, and his faith in God did not waver. Yet, he was still in despair from all that happened around him.
I love how God responded to Elijah. First, God sent an angel to remind him to eat (1 Kings 19.5-7). Second, God brought him to a different location, or setting (1 Kings 19.8). Third, he had Elijah reflect on his reasoning for this despair (1 Kings 19.9-10). Fourth, he appeared before Elijah and had him restate his problem again (1 Kings 19.13-14).
We might presume that God provided an amazing solution that could only come from his vault of eternal wisdom. He didn’t do that. He told him to leave that place and provided Elijah a list of tasks. There was nothing special about this list of tasks. I would identify them of regular jobs for a prophet of God.
In Elijah’s despair, where did he find God? We might be tempted to say in the small voice heard in the story, but that is really a small detail of a much larger picture. God redirected him to his daily service to our Lord. His way back from despair would be found in his work for God. Before we demote this to a trivial answer, let us remember that it came from the wisdom of God.
So, is that our answer to all despair? As I elaborated on last week, we are all different. There isn’t a one size fits all approach to anything. However, it is very easy to miss this simple lesson right in front of us. God was patient and gentle with Elijah. But even in despair, Elijah still had work to do. Even in our despair, Christians still have work to do. Is that nothing more than the rule of an insensitive and demanding God? Far from it. It is a reminder that God is fully present and aware of our distress. It is an opportunity to shift our focus to God and others – which is where God wants it anyways.
Will this simple lesson solve everything? Probably not. But can we find God in our service to him even in our despair? Absolutely – and that can impact our thinking, feelings, and focus. God is always with his children as they serve him in his kingdom.