Does God Give Up (on Me)?
Elijah's words betray the same despair as he stumbled under a wilderness juniper tree to die. "...It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers." 1 Kings 19:4 KJV He, like us, had his spiritual ups and downs and the last few days had been an extreme example. Just days earlier he had trusted God enough to face king Ahab, announce the mount Carmel challenge, take on 450 priests of Baal, ask God for fire from heaven, ask God for rain that had not come in 3 years and still have enough faith and fortitude to run leading king Ahab's chariot back to the palace through the down pour that God's answer brought. But then after all that demonstrated trust in God, all the incredible answers and protections God had provided, it took only one threat from the queen to send him running away, all the way into the wilderness to his juniper tree. On the way he realized what he had done. The fear he had responded to rather than the evidences of God's protection, the greater faith in a queen's threat than God's promises. He was scared and he had failed. Now, all he wanted was to die to be rid of the pain and shame. But how did God respond to His wayward servant, his failed son?
God sent Elijah an angel to feed him while he lay under that tree. No condemnation, no scolding, not even a knowingly said "I kind of thought you were getting a bit tired after that run with the horses". Just lovingly, miraculously, prepared food, for strength for refreshment for encouragement.
It is a human frailty, a satan exploited weakness, we often give up on ourselves, on trying. We can give up like Elijah after great success, when we see we have no excuse for our failing or just crumble under the weight of ongoing repeated failings, that one part of our lives we just can't seem to get straight. We give up but God is not so easily discouraged, whether He is talking with a Samaritan woman, whose life was an ongoing tragedy or his fallen star, Elijah, His response is the same "you are forgiven. I'll help you move on if you let me. Lets walk together." Will you get up and walk with your Savior today? His hand is reaching out. Just take it!
Published by Steven Baerg
I am a mental health counselor who gets a huge thrill out of assisting others in living fuller happier lives. Personally, I have found Christ gives me a great purpose and joy in living. Currently, I am wai... View profile
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5 Comments
Post a CommentI can ABSOLUTELY GARANTEE you God will not give up on you.....You don't quit! If you can make only 1 right decision today...do it and use that success to make 2 the next day and when you fall back (sorry but that is possible) remember what you have learned on your successful days and start again! Winning isn't getting it perfect...it is just being committed to getting up again! However many times it takes.
God doesn't give up....only we give up...on him and or on ourselves.
Satan is telling you lies. The ONLY way you can lose your saving relationship with God is to quit. Satan knows that. He can't stop God from trying again and again but if he can convince you that it is hopeless you will stop trying....that will destroy you because God will not over ride your choice to stay away.
Look for a Christian counselor in your area or for a group called Celebrate Recovery - a Christian 12 Step group.
Dear Messed Up,
God is a God of second, third , fourth etc. chances. Think of it like this: God is a bit like Bill Gates . Let's imagine Bill Gates sold off Microsoft and then took every single penny he had and started a shoe company (competition to Nike). At first it does well but then it starts to have problems and eventually it is in serious financial shape. At that point, would he just walk away and say "well it was a nice try..oh well..guess I better go back to computers." Or would he stay day and night call in the top advisors and say "I have to make this work...I've invested EVERYTHING I have in this company. I will do whatever it takes to make it succeed!"
Jesus has invested His entire life in you. No matter how many times you screw up you can't change that. He will ALWAYS give you another chance as long as you want it. Actually the fact that you keep coming back to God is very clear evidence you genuinely want to be with Him and live the life He has for you. G
ive messed up many many times. so many times that i feel i dont have a chance to make it to heaven. ive been bouncing back and forth all through out my life between good and evil . bad habits and addictions. i need word of encouragement. please tell me somthing
Great article. Sadly, many give up on God.