Elijah is too tired to run anymore. And so, he prays again. This prayer is very different from the faith-filled prayer that God answered on Mount Carmel ( 1 Kings 18.36-37) in front of the priests and prophets of Baal, the members of the court, and the common people. This is a simple, short prayer of desperation.

In 1 Kings 19:4, Elijah states that he is no better than his fathers. What was he talking about?

When Elijah finally is still, guilt comes crushing in on him. He realizes that his quick exit has hijacked what could have been a great opportunity for reformation in Israel. He realizes that he has disappointed those who needed him. And he’s powerless to do anything about it. Thus, in a painful moment of self-reflection, knowing full well the history of his people, he sees himself for what he really is.

Image © Bible Adventure Collection at Goodsalt.com

That can be a painful revelation for anyone of us, can’t it — that is, seeing ourselves for what we really are? How grateful we should be for the promise that, sinful as our lives have been, in Christ God will see us as He sees Jesus. What more hope can we have than that, by faith, we can claim for ourselves the righteousness of Christ? (See Philippians 3:9.)

Nevertheless, depression has a way of sucking us into a dark whirlpool of self-loathing. And sometimes we begin to think that death is the only way out.

This seems to be the case for Elijah. It’s all too much for him. He says, “It is enough! Now, LORD, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!“ (1 Kings 19:4).

The good news is that the great Healer doesn’t condemn Elijah. God understands better than we do what we are up against as we fight depression.

“We may have no remarkable evidence at the time that the face of our Redeemer is bending over us in compassion and love, but this is even so. We may not feel His visible touch, but His hand is upon us in love and pitying tenderness.” — Ellen G. White, Steps to Christ, p. 97.

God knows and understands that “the journey is too much” (1 Kings 19:7) for us, but sometimes He has to wait until we stop running. Then He can intervene.

Sometimes people who are drowning become so confused that they will fight a lifeguard off. The lifeguard then has to back off and wait to perform a rescue until the victim actually becomes unconscious.

<–Tuesday Thursday–>

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Rest. The word used most frequently in our Sabbath School Lesson pamphlet this quarter. “Thou shalt rest, Thou shalt rest!” These are words repeated each verse of
Hymn 387 – Come, O Sabbath Day, our theme hymn for this quarter.

We could add to the theme
Hymn 529 – Under His Wings. Each week of study this quarter, gives more and more of showing God’s deepest care for us, His children. As God’s children we find out about the Biblical family growing pains, and this still happens today. Yet, we are still “under His wings”.

The Memory Text opens our singing this week with
Hymn 515 – The Lord Is My Light.

It is in
Hymn 386 – The Scared Anthem we find “The Lord of Sabbaths wills renewal for the weary earth and healing for our ills” just as we are looking at the ‘Healing Rest’ we need in Sunday’s study time.

Our ‘Root Treatment’ is in the forgiveness for which we long –
Hymn 299 – Forgive Our Sins As We Forgive (Monday).

When we are ‘Too Tired to Run’ anymore, as was Elijah, the understanding comes to us of what our faith can give, as in
Hymn 163 – At The Cross. It is there that
I Must Tell Jesus – Hymn 485 all of my troubles. His compassion then gives us rest. After our rest, we can sing
Praise Ye the Father – Hymn 70 in which we praise the Saviour, as great is His compassion.

Blessings for a wonderful week ahead.

To learn unknown hymns, you will find the accompaniment music for each one at: https://sdahymnals.com/Hymnal/

Another great resource is for when there is a hymn you wish to sing, but can’t find it in your hymnal. Go to https://www.sdahymnal.org and in the search bar type a special word in that is in the hymn. I am sure you will be amazed at the help you will be given.

2 Timothy 2:15 KJV – “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

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Key Thought: In changes in our experiences, we are either elated or depressed. But changes in circumstances has no power to change God’s relationship to us.
August 21, 2021

1. Have a volunteer read Mark 2:1-12.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
2. Why did Jesus first forgive the paralytic’s sins before He healed him?
3. Personal Application: How can we find peace and rest even when our prayers for healing don’t seem to be answered? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your relatives states, “Is understanding the cause of a sickness an important step to healing and recovery?” How would you respond to your friend?

2. Have a volunteer read I Kings 19:1-5.

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. Why did Elijah run away when threatened by Jezebel?
3. Personal Application: Have you ever been so tired and worn out that you did or said the wrong thing? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your friends states, “Why was Elijah feeling sorry for himself after gaining a great victory over the priests of Baal? What did God do to help him get back on the right track?” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read I Kings 19:5-8..

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
2. What happened after Elijah got rest and nourishment?
3. Personal Application: Have you ever gotten to the point where you felt you’s had it? You’re ready to quit. You’ve had enough? What do you do to deal with that attitude? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your relatives states: “How can I do anything right now? I’m depressed and down. Nobody cares what I have done for them. Nothing seems to matter.“ How would you respond to your relative?

4. Have a volunteer read I Kings 19:15,16; 2 Kings 2:11…

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
2. Is there any power in intercessory prayer for those too depressed to pray for themselves? How important is it to pray for others in need?
3. Personal Application: Does being depressed, fearful, or worried mean we lack faith in God? How can we learn to trust God no matter how difficult it is?” Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.”Ministry of Healing, p. 148).

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