Have you ever been depressed? Depression has been described as a feeling of helplessness and hopelessness that leads to sadness. No one is immune to the numbing effects of depression. Even some of God’s prophets became so depressed that they wanted God to take their life. See Jonah 4:3. They were good men who loved God.

1 – The problems that they faced

• A physical problem – They were all physically worn out. See Numbers 11:11ff. He had unbelievable problems. Elijah had done without food and completed a long cross country run. Jonah had been swallowed by a whale and almost had a sun stroke. When you are physically worn out you are likely to suffer depression. Fatigue makes cowards of us all.
• A psychological problem – Moses had a people problem. They were constantly asking him for things and answers and blaming him. Moses was emotionally drained. Elijah had a pity problem. Elijah had this idea that he was better than other people. He wasn’t expecting to be hunted down. If he really wanted to die he would not have run away from Jezebel. Jonah had a pout problem. He did not like the way God was doing things. He was very angry with God. Jonah would have preferred for the Ninevahites to have been wiped out. None had their eyes on God. A spiritual problem – They were spiritually run down. Those in the ministry are not immune. These men where men of God.
• The spiritual problem came after they are physically and psychologically drained. Satan knows when to strike. They had all come from great highs but then hit the valleys soon after. Watch out for spiritual highs because the valleys may not be far away! Jesus was tempted after a great spiritual high and he is worn out.

2 – The provision they found

You can thank God for unanswered prayers! God did not take their lives. God gives us what we need, not what we want. God did not mistake the moment for the man. For Moses He gave 70 elders to help him. Moses learned to delegate. Elijah was refreshed by sleep and the food and water provided by an angel. God gave him a vacation. He was in a retreat centre. Some of you may need a vacation. God knows you need rest. He gives his beloved sleep. The disciples were to come apart for a while and rest. Jonah was given a booth and a vine to deliver him from his grief. The answer can be very practical.

God spoke to Elijah through a still voice rather than the more dramatic things. God had to take away the vine to show Jonah that he was wrong. God loved them and used them despite their mistakes! God can help us through depression also.

Categories: Numbers