Strength for Zero Hours

Saturday 26 November
READ: I Kgs. 19: 1 - 8
MORE LESSON: Isa. 40: 31

There comes a time in life when an achiever just feels downcast and weak. You have been moving on and you have been greatly helped by God but at that point, it seems as if you are just tired of everything. Boredom sets in, you realise that you are no longer enjoying what you do. Fear, doubt and weakness arise and zeal goes down. It is like a vehicle that is rusty and unserviced and you feel you can't go on anymore. I want you to know that such things happen even to great men and great women. The difference is always in the way you handle it.
Elijah had just done one of the greatest exploits in history; he challenged the false gods and their priest to a duel on Mt. Carmel where He called down fire from Heaven. The people of Israel praised and turned back to God. Then one woman threatened Elijah and he ran away and was begging God to take his life because he was so weary, downcast and tired of life. Here is what he said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers: 1 Kings 19:4. When you get to this point, you begin to feel inadequate and afraid that you will fail.
There is strength for such zero hours. When it looks like you have reached level zero and you are afraid that you may not be able to rise again, you can let God pick you and raise you again. The Word of God is what you need to be spoken into your life at such times. At such moments, remember scriptures like, For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind: II Tim 1:7. Say, ...for the joy of the LORD is your strength: Neh. 8: 10, and I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me: Phil. 4: 13, ...greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world: 1Jn. 4:4.
Eventually, as Elijah retreated to the wilderness, God showed up for Elijah and gave him food to eat. And the angel of the Lord came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee: 1 Kings 19:7. When the journey of life becomes too great for you, you need spiritual food so that you can be rejuvenated. You might need to retreat into God's presence or find someone to speak the Word of God into your life. As you draw strength from God at points when all your strength is gone, you will bounce back from weakness and continue to advance in your glorious destiny. One more thing, never give in to fear, worry, doubt, or any satanic suggestions that may be flowing into you at such time. Rather, doubt your doubts, read and confess God’s Word. Never stay down, rise up and work.

Prayer/Action
* Declare in faith, I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me.
* Declare, not by my strength but by the Spirit of the Lord I will make it.
* Lord, refresh and renew me for the journey ahead, in Jesus’ name.

TODAY'S PROPHETIC PRAYER
I am from above, I shall be above all and I'm not coming down, saith the Lord, in the name of Jesus.