Overview:
1 Kings 19
“You will break the bow, if you keep it always bent.” So goes an ancient Greek saying. Perhaps it was because of Elijah’s “bent bow” that he finally broke under the strain. In 1 Kings 19, we find him disillusioned, downcast, and discouraged. But why? And in light of his depression, how did God deal with His broken servant? Elijah’s story helps us understand how we can handle those days when we, too, get discouraged.
Message Summary:
Message Key Facts:
- The "Slough of Despond": Swindoll borrows this term from John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress, describing a bog where the characters Christian and Pliable fall, becoming "grievously bedaubed with dirt." It serves as a metaphor for the sticky, sinking feeling of depression.
- Biblical Figures Who Battled Depression: Swindoll notes that despondency is not a sign of spiritual failure, citing four successful biblical leaders who despaired of life: Moses (Numbers 11), Jonah (Jonah 4), Paul (2 Corinthians 1), and Elijah (1 Kings 19) [9–10].
- The "Blue Monday" Phenomenon: Elijah’s collapse happened immediately after his greatest victory (defeating the prophets of Baal). Swindoll warns that believers are most vulnerable to a crash right after a spiritual high, much like suicide rates often rise after the holidays.
- The "Bent Bow" Proverb: Swindoll cites an ancient Greek motto: "You will break the bow if you keep it always bent." This illustrates that living with the philosophy that "enough is not enough" eventually leads to a break in one's spirit or health.
- God’s Therapy for Burnout: God’s response to Elijah was practical, not theological. He did not preach to Elijah; He gave him a "catering service" in the wilderness (bread baked on hot stones and water) and let him sleep. Swindoll notes, "Sometimes a good long night's rest is far more spiritual than another hour spent in prayer" [17–20].
- Fragility of the Depressed: Swindoll argues that discouraged people are like "fine china"—fragile and in need of gentle handling. This is why God spoke to Elijah in a "gentle blowing" (whisper) rather than through the wind, earthquake, or fire.
- The "Mom Jean" Illustration: The sermon concludes with a story from Arthur Gordon’s book A Touch of Wonder about a woman named Mom Jean. She spent years massaging the atrophied legs of a boy with polio until he could walk, illustrating the power of one person saying to another, "I am here. I believe in you. I am your Elisha" [27–33].
Message References:
- 1 Kings 19:1–21: The primary narrative detailing Elijah’s flight from Jezebel, his depression under the broom tree, and God’s restoration of him at Mount Horeb.
- Genesis 9: Mentioned in the opening anecdote regarding the rainbow as a sign of God’s promise.
- Numbers 11: Referenced as the moment Moses asked God to take his life.
- Jonah 4: Referenced as the moment Jonah became despondent after a great revival.
- 2 Corinthians 1: Referenced where Paul admits he "despaired even of life".
- Zechariah 4:6: "Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit," referenced to show God was still working despite Elijah's feelings of isolation.