Succeeding in Discouraging Times
Faithful Living in Faltering Times • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Succeeding in Discouraging Times
Succeeding in Discouraging Times
2 Kings 2:15–25 (ESV)
15 Now when the sons of the prophets who were at Jericho saw him opposite them, they said, “The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha.” And they came to meet him and bowed to the ground before him. 16 And they said to him, “Behold now, there are with your servants fifty strong men. Please let them go and seek your master. It may be that the Spirit of the Lord has caught him up and cast him upon some mountain or into some valley.” And he said, “You shall not send.” 17 But when they urged him till he was ashamed, he said, “Send.” They sent therefore fifty men. And for three days they sought him but did not find him. 18 And they came back to him while he was staying at Jericho, and he said to them, “Did I not say to you, ‘Do not go’?” 19 Now the men of the city said to Elisha, “Behold, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord sees, but the water is bad, and the land is unfruitful.” 20 He said, “Bring me a new bowl, and put salt in it.” So they brought it to him. 21 Then he went to the spring of water and threw salt in it and said, “Thus says the Lord, I have healed this water; from now on neither death nor miscarriage shall come from it.” 22 So the water has been healed to this day, according to the word that Elisha spoke. 23 He went up from there to Bethel, and while he was going up on the way, some small boys came out of the city and jeered at him, saying, “Go up, you baldhead! Go up, you baldhead!” 24 And he turned around, and when he saw them, he cursed them in the name of the Lord. And two she-bears came out of the woods and tore forty-two of the boys. 25 From there he went on to Mount Carmel, and from there he returned to Samaria.
DT: When we serve God He empowers us to succeed through discouraging moments.
Introduction: During some of the best events in our lives we may find ourselves experiencing discouragement. For the believer those moments are also opportunities to exhibit our faith and trust in God’s purpose and power in our lives. This is the situation Elisha finds himself.
Elisha has just been elevated to the leadership of these men known as the School of Prophets. He has taken the place of Elijah as God’s emissary to Israel and yet he hits immediately a problem.
Sometimes that’s just how it happens. Regardless of how great or good you desire things to begin there are times you may begin having to face problems head on. That can be discouraging and difficult. How can one be successful when the job or situation seem to be a hassle and problem ridden from the outset?
Our text today challenges us to see the hand of God working before us when we are faced with difficult moments.
The first observation challenges us to to take note that God empowers us with His vindication.
God Empowers Us with His Vindication (vv. 15-18)
2 Kings 2:15–18 (ESV)
15 Now when the sons of the prophets who were at Jericho saw him opposite them, they said, “The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha.” And they came to meet him and bowed to the ground before him. 16 And they said to him, “Behold now, there are with your servants fifty strong men. Please let them go and seek your master. It may be that the Spirit of the Lord has caught him up and cast him upon some mountain or into some valley.” And he said, “You shall not send.” 17 But when they urged him till he was ashamed, he said, “Send.” They sent therefore fifty men. And for three days they sought him but did not find him. 18 And they came back to him while he was staying at Jericho, and he said to them, “Did I not say to you, ‘Do not go’?”
Elisha is approached by the sons of the prophets while he is in Jericho. They have concluded that Elijah must have been transported somewhere else and want to assemble a search party to find him. Elijah says that won’t be necessary Elijah is with the Lord. These men insist a press Elisha by ridiculing him and causing doubt among others. It becomes so bad that , v.17 says, “they urged him till he was ashamed.”
Elisha says ok suit yourselves, go ahead. These men went and search for three days and came back with there heads down and hands empty. They then tell Elisha that Elijah is nowhere to be found, to which Elisha responds, “I told you”.
That’s just discouraging. Here is a man who has been assigned by God and experienced something phenomenal before these men and they doubt him. God vindicates Elisha. The shame these men cast upon Elisha is nowhere the shame and embarrassment they suffer.
ILLUS: You ever told someone something and they didn’t believe what you said? They even attempt to shame you by saying things like you not the only one who knows. Here is one that gets me well, just because you a preacher doesn’t mean you know everything about the Bible.
Transition: Heres the lesson for us today.
Application: You will meet doubters on your journey. But remain steadfast and stay the course. Trust and believe God even when others doubt.
Don’t get bent out of shape if when what you have already told someone falls on deaf ears and they return to you with the same thing you have said as though haven’t said it.
Transition: Here’s the next observation from the text… God uses us for His Glory.
God Uses Us for His Glory (vv.19-22)
2 Kings 2:19–22 (ESV)
19 Now the men of the city said to Elisha, “Behold, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord sees, but the water is bad, and the land is unfruitful.” 20 He said, “Bring me a new bowl, and put salt in it.” So they brought it to him. 21 Then he went to the spring of water and threw salt in it and said, “Thus says the Lord, I have healed this water; from now on neither death nor miscarriage shall come from it.” 22 So the water has been healed to this day, according to the word that Elisha spoke.
The men of the city were pleased with the beauty of their city but complained of its water. Elisha went into action by requesting a new bowl with salt, walked out in the water and began to pray and throw the salt into the water. The Scripture teaches us that the water was healed and the people were helped.
Elisha efforts were not so that he could be lifted up but so that the people would experience the power of God and honor God with their whole hearts.
Application: Likewise you and I have this obligation to bring God glory daily in our lives. One of the ways to do that is to help and serve hurting people. God can use you. Maybe you are puzzled about what you can do. Pray for those you know are dealing with some rough stuff. Pray with people you know are having some issues. Go to them not in an arrogant or condescending way but in a way that expresses the heart of God and tell them I want to pray with you. Why is this important? Because people need to know that God cares and answers prayer.
Transition: Here is the last observation from the text . . . God Defends us.
God Defends Us (vv.23-25)
23 He went up from there to Bethel, and while he was going up on the way, some small boys came out of the city and jeered at him, saying, “Go up, you baldhead! Go up, you baldhead!” 24 And he turned around, and when he saw them, he cursed them in the name of the Lord. And two she-bears came out of the woods and tore forty-two of the boys. 25 From there he went on to Mount Carmel, and from there he returned to Samaria.
Elisha is on his way to Bethel. He is minding his own business and look what happens. He is taunted by young boys in a field. These boys were a product of their nonbelieving culture. No respect for God or the man of God. They were combative and offensive toward Elisha.
Transition: Here is some breaking news . . .
Application: Being hurt and ridiculed by others for what you believe is a part of the journey. God is not recruiting you fight your battles He requires you to endure them while He fights.
Conclusion:
You are not in this alone. God is with you. You can and will succeed with the power of God. Jesus succeeded on a cross. It was a discouraging time for Him yet He endured it so that God would be glorified. He endured it so that sinners would be saved.