2026 1 Kings 19-1, From Mount Carmel to Mount Horeb
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2026-02-01 17:17
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From Mount Carmel to Mount Horeb
1 Kings 19:1-18
Elijah achieved a great victory on Mount Carmel. However, soon he fell into deep depression and lethargy. Today’s passage shows how he could recover from depression.
First, have rest for your body
In chapters 17-19, Elijah moved five times in three years—from the Cherith Brook to Sidon, Samaria, the Plain of Jezreel, and Beersheba. And he was threatened by Queen Jezebel. Too much moving here and there and pressure from the people made him physically and mentally burned out. Likewise, this society pressures us both mentally and financially.
Life was harder for people in the past than now. People in my generation sacrificed their present happiness for future happiness.
In that sense, young people these days are like daylight robbery. They long for happiness and stability in the future. At the same time, they want them now too. They do everything they want and can. When asked, they say they have no money. But the airports are overflowing with travelers. They seem to move here and there busily, looking for places or people that would give them happiness or sooth their anxieties but they have no rest. They feel that their future seems uncertain and the present isn't all that satisfying.
You know "the 10,000-hour rule." It takes 10-15 years to be an expert in any areas with intense and deliberate practices. Yuna Kim started skating at age 6 and devoted herself to it wholeheartedly after then, winning the gold medal at age 21 in figure skating at the Vancouver Olympics. With single mind, you need to dedicate 15 years in order to achieve something you desire. That's rest. It's not doing nothing, but giving up all other options but focusing on one thing with single mind without going here and there, free from many desires or conflicts. This is rest and Paul had such rest saying, “but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:13-14)
A student said, "Pastor, I diligently attended church service in this semester but my grades didn't improve. I want to stop coming to church." After only four months, you want to stop? Do that!
Elijah became weak in this regard. Look at verse 3, 4. Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD. Take my life.” Elijah, such a man of courage and power, fell into depression.
Our God is merciful and kind. God touched Elijah’s tiring and broken mind, fed him delicious food and let him sleep soundly.
Mother Teresa's criteria for hiring people was, "Eat, laugh and sleep well,” meaning, no divided or conflicted mind. That kind of person’s work efficiency is high. Not a few young people these days stay up until 2 or 3 a.m. planning to study more but in fact doing useless things making their bodies tired. Please go to bed on time for your body.
The Bible values man’s body highly saying, “Your body is a temple of God. (1 Corinthians 3:16). Take well care of your body physically and spiritually. Have a sound rest before God with a single focus and mind, and entrust your life to Him. If you need to make a choice, pray until you have a confidence from the Lord. You are not supposed to live a life of conflict.
Second, move by the word of God.
In chapter 17 and 18, Elijah moves to locations only in response to God’s commands. 17:3 says, "Go to the brook in the Kerith Ravine." So, he moved there. In such severe drought, the brook would dry up any time soon. Wouldn't we be anxious and prepare a plan to move to a place with water? Remarkably, however Elijah stays continually. This is an attitude of "If I perish, I perish."
But we use our wits and go somewhere else before the brook dries up. If there's a place that pays more, gives more comfort or fun, we move immediately not caring worship, prayer and gospel work. But Elijah trusted in God and moved by God’s command. That was why he won huge victories
In chapter 19:3, however, Elijah’s journey was not divinely initiated. The shock of Jezebel’s resistance has led him to flee to Beersheba,
There, Elijah melancholically said, “I want to die." Why? Because he is obsessed with himself. After the great victory, Elijah likely expected, "Ahab and Jezebel now will repent. The world will change. And they will acknowledge my spiritual authority." But the world doesn't change at all. Instead, Jezebel threatens Elijah saying “I will kill you by tomorrow!”
Elijah felt like his efforts and zeal went up in smoke. He felt his expectations were shattered. What is his problem?
Look at verse 3. "Elijah saw and ran for his life.” Elijah saw what? Not God but his situation. The key is what we see. Elijah had always followed God’s word. But now, he sees his circumstances and moves here and there. This is where he collapsed. Don't move to here and there according to your situation without God's word. Or you will collapse. Some people see others’ success and their no achievements. Then they become depressed. What do you see?
God called him to come to the Mountain of Horeb.” He travelled 40 days to reach there. Mount Horeb is where Moses met God and God gave him the Ten Commandments. Why did God call Elijah to the Mountain of God?
“Elijah, you need to change your perspective." There, God showed him a great and powerful wind, an earthquake and a fire. But God wasn't there. A powerful wind, an earthquake and fire look spectacular. Elijah, why are you seeking such spectacular things? Why are you seeking such power? Was Jesus, Son of God born in a magnificent palace? No, he was laid in a manger. Does God dwell in a Tower of Babel, a spectacular achievements without blood of Jesus? Does God dwell in six-figure income, big career, big house, big car and gorgeous resort?
In chapter 18, Elijah was excited at the sight of enormous fire and powerful rain from heaven. “Wow, that’s spectacular! God is great! I am doing a great work!” But when he saw the reality, he had nothing but only threat from the powerful enemies. He fell into a depression.
Look at verse 12, 13. “After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, God pulled his cloak over his face.” God covered Elijah’s eyes so that he could no longer see such things. Then a gentle whisper was heard to him from the Lord. If God’s word is heard to your ears, you are alive, fresh and vibrant always. Book-smart only want to see spectacular phenomena.
Stop seeing the spectacular things of the world and social media. Instead, close your eyes and hear a gentle whisper from the Lord. God is with you through a gentle whisper such as your one to one Bible study or testimony writing or prayer. At that time, you do not see the world and yourself but only see Jesus Christ, who loves you and has redeemed you from sin and curse. This is recovery from depression.
Police dogs undergo 16 weeks of intensive training before taking a graduation test. All the dogs are shown a delicious piece of meat. Some dogs drool, stare at the meat, and bite into it. “Hey, you failed. Go back to 16 weeks training!” Some dogs don't look at the meat, instead only their trainer. "You passed."
Folks, why do you stare at a chunk of meat and snap up it? There's poison of paralysis and death. Instead see your Savoir, Jesus Christ and His calling.
Folks, we have been saved by God’s grace. God tests you. Then, will you bite the lust, money, pleasures of the world? Will you avoid what you have to do but only do what you want to do? Isn't that like a dog biting into a piece of meat? A well-disciplined dog doesn't look at the meat but its trainer.
Many young people these days don't know devotion. They don't deny their flesh desires. Still, the Lord opens the ears of a few young men with His word in our church to dedicate themselves to the Lord in worship, prayer and gospel work. How amazing! I hope no one in our church lives like a dog biting into a piece of meat. See Jesus who carried out His cross and rose again from the dead with eternal glory as the Lord. Then you will surely be victorious.
Third, connect yourself to God and his mission
Verse 7 "Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” Elijah thought his journey was over. But he has a further and true journey to meet God. During a game, athletes experience pain. Yet, they keep playing. Why? “I can't miss this game. I have a path to follow.” Such awareness makes them keep playing in spite of pain. This is mission. A sense of mission transcends man’s current pain, obstacles or difficulties.
What is a mission? It is reason of man’s existence. If you know why you exist, you can overcome pain, hardship and temptation and keep running.. The reason you feel depressed or bored or lethargic is because you don't have a mission. Is making money is man’s mission? Is this so to you? No. Jeffery Epstein’s report tells it clearly. King Solomon’s late life proves it. If you don't know your mission, ask God. Would you finish your life after working hard to make money, eat, travel and enjoy some pleasures of the world?
After a great victory on Mount Carmel, Elijah fell into spiritual depression and said, “I want to die.” But verse 3 says, “He ran for his life.” This is contradictory to what he said. In fact, he fled to live more! Then why, “Lord, take my life?” It's because he did not know what to do. He had helped a helpless widow and raised her dead son. He had defeated King Ahab and 850 Baal prophets. Then he thought. “It is enough. I have finished it. Now I am tired.” Then he became depressed.
Is there anyone who feels depressed and lethargic? Is there anyone who wants to die? Come to me. I'll give you works to do. Give it everything you’ve got. Then, you won't want to die. This is the way to live. When someone says, "I want to die," it's a lie. We were not created that way. We were created to work hard for God's glory and our own happiness. Do the work of God.
Some ask me, “What is the work of God?” Write a testimony after Bible study, attend a prayer meeting, invite your family, friends and campus students to church, teach the Bible and go on a mission trip. Then, you will experience the fullness of life and the power of heaven. But, you don't want to do that, do you? If you barely attend church once a week, how can you know the joy and vitality that God gives? We fall into depression because we only compete to be more successful or seek out worldly pleasures without mission of God. It is because we selfishly seek our own security and comfort.
Elijah was a prophet of God in that dark era. He was called to fulfill God's will and vision. But he was shaken like a leaf due to fear of death.
Christians are called by God Almighty to do worship, prayer and gospel work in the name of Jesus Christ. But it is very heart-breaking to see people who don't carry out the mission of God when it conflicts with their own interests. “I have an exam tomorrow. I have to go to the airport, so I can't come to church today. I'm not going to the Bible conference because of the fee.” Would you like to share your testimony? “Well, maybe next time.” It is unbelievable how little faith and devotion they have. A life of faith is to loss for Christ Jesus. That is the only way to gain.
After a victory, Elijah fell into a slump when he saw his expectation was unfulfilled. It's frightening to remain in a victory we achieve. You must break the expectation that everything will be alright after experiencing a victory. How? Go to the Mountain of Horeb. There confront God and listen to his gentle voice and connect yourself with God and His mission. When Elijah did it, his second stage of life became even more fruitful, fresh, lively and full of vitality. He made a new leap forward. He broke free from the entanglements of self-satisfaction, self-expectations and mannerism.
If you remain stuck in the small satisfaction or achievement, you will never escape the hamster wheel life. If you are content with studying, earning money, eating with your friends, traveling, and saving money, you will leave this world with regret without ever experiencing the power of heaven and the true meaning of life. If you do not seek to know why Jesus died on the cross, His resurrection power and eternity, you are like dead though you breathe. Don't end your life just studying, working, earning money, and being consumed by the approval of the world. You need to go to the mountain of God and confront Him.
Up until now, Elijah's enemies were Ahab and Jezebel. However, his scale became bigger by connecting himself with God and his mission. He was transformed. His perspective was shifted. He no longer fought Jezebel. By God’s command, he anointed Hazael king over Aram, a Gentile nation. He also anointed Jehu king over Israel and anointed Elisha to be his successor. He also raised many spiritual leaders who could influence the times. He did not remain in the memory of the victory on Mount Carmel. He broke free from the shackles of self-satisfaction and individualism. Then his ministry expanded more than a hundredfold. He went on to experience a remarkable revival. There was a paradigm shift in his life from himself to God, personal success and self-satisfaction to raising spiritual leaders for the whole world. I pray that you may also experience this paradigm shift in your life.
Therefore, do not be content with what you have or achieve. Or do not fear of failure or the world's gaze. It's okay if you haven't accomplished anything yet. Connect yourself with God and his mission. By faith, stop biting into the flesh of worldly desires. Don’t remain in your personal success. And risk your life to worship, pray and carry out things given to you from God. You will experience Elijah's God and live like Elijah.
1 Kings 19:1-18
Elijah achieved a great victory on Mount Carmel. However, soon he fell into deep depression and lethargy. Today’s passage shows how he could recover from depression.
First, have rest for your body
In chapters 17-19, Elijah moved five times in three years—from the Cherith Brook to Sidon, Samaria, the Plain of Jezreel, and Beersheba. And he was threatened by Queen Jezebel. Too much moving here and there and pressure from the people made him physically and mentally burned out. Likewise, this society pressures us both mentally and financially.
Life was harder for people in the past than now. People in my generation sacrificed their present happiness for future happiness.
In that sense, young people these days are like daylight robbery. They long for happiness and stability in the future. At the same time, they want them now too. They do everything they want and can. When asked, they say they have no money. But the airports are overflowing with travelers. They seem to move here and there busily, looking for places or people that would give them happiness or sooth their anxieties but they have no rest. They feel that their future seems uncertain and the present isn't all that satisfying.
You know "the 10,000-hour rule." It takes 10-15 years to be an expert in any areas with intense and deliberate practices. Yuna Kim started skating at age 6 and devoted herself to it wholeheartedly after then, winning the gold medal at age 21 in figure skating at the Vancouver Olympics. With single mind, you need to dedicate 15 years in order to achieve something you desire. That's rest. It's not doing nothing, but giving up all other options but focusing on one thing with single mind without going here and there, free from many desires or conflicts. This is rest and Paul had such rest saying, “but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:13-14)
A student said, "Pastor, I diligently attended church service in this semester but my grades didn't improve. I want to stop coming to church." After only four months, you want to stop? Do that!
Elijah became weak in this regard. Look at verse 3, 4. Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD. Take my life.” Elijah, such a man of courage and power, fell into depression.
Our God is merciful and kind. God touched Elijah’s tiring and broken mind, fed him delicious food and let him sleep soundly.
Mother Teresa's criteria for hiring people was, "Eat, laugh and sleep well,” meaning, no divided or conflicted mind. That kind of person’s work efficiency is high. Not a few young people these days stay up until 2 or 3 a.m. planning to study more but in fact doing useless things making their bodies tired. Please go to bed on time for your body.
The Bible values man’s body highly saying, “Your body is a temple of God. (1 Corinthians 3:16). Take well care of your body physically and spiritually. Have a sound rest before God with a single focus and mind, and entrust your life to Him. If you need to make a choice, pray until you have a confidence from the Lord. You are not supposed to live a life of conflict.
Second, move by the word of God.
In chapter 17 and 18, Elijah moves to locations only in response to God’s commands. 17:3 says, "Go to the brook in the Kerith Ravine." So, he moved there. In such severe drought, the brook would dry up any time soon. Wouldn't we be anxious and prepare a plan to move to a place with water? Remarkably, however Elijah stays continually. This is an attitude of "If I perish, I perish."
But we use our wits and go somewhere else before the brook dries up. If there's a place that pays more, gives more comfort or fun, we move immediately not caring worship, prayer and gospel work. But Elijah trusted in God and moved by God’s command. That was why he won huge victories
In chapter 19:3, however, Elijah’s journey was not divinely initiated. The shock of Jezebel’s resistance has led him to flee to Beersheba,
There, Elijah melancholically said, “I want to die." Why? Because he is obsessed with himself. After the great victory, Elijah likely expected, "Ahab and Jezebel now will repent. The world will change. And they will acknowledge my spiritual authority." But the world doesn't change at all. Instead, Jezebel threatens Elijah saying “I will kill you by tomorrow!”
Elijah felt like his efforts and zeal went up in smoke. He felt his expectations were shattered. What is his problem?
Look at verse 3. "Elijah saw and ran for his life.” Elijah saw what? Not God but his situation. The key is what we see. Elijah had always followed God’s word. But now, he sees his circumstances and moves here and there. This is where he collapsed. Don't move to here and there according to your situation without God's word. Or you will collapse. Some people see others’ success and their no achievements. Then they become depressed. What do you see?
God called him to come to the Mountain of Horeb.” He travelled 40 days to reach there. Mount Horeb is where Moses met God and God gave him the Ten Commandments. Why did God call Elijah to the Mountain of God?
“Elijah, you need to change your perspective." There, God showed him a great and powerful wind, an earthquake and a fire. But God wasn't there. A powerful wind, an earthquake and fire look spectacular. Elijah, why are you seeking such spectacular things? Why are you seeking such power? Was Jesus, Son of God born in a magnificent palace? No, he was laid in a manger. Does God dwell in a Tower of Babel, a spectacular achievements without blood of Jesus? Does God dwell in six-figure income, big career, big house, big car and gorgeous resort?
In chapter 18, Elijah was excited at the sight of enormous fire and powerful rain from heaven. “Wow, that’s spectacular! God is great! I am doing a great work!” But when he saw the reality, he had nothing but only threat from the powerful enemies. He fell into a depression.
Look at verse 12, 13. “After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, God pulled his cloak over his face.” God covered Elijah’s eyes so that he could no longer see such things. Then a gentle whisper was heard to him from the Lord. If God’s word is heard to your ears, you are alive, fresh and vibrant always. Book-smart only want to see spectacular phenomena.
Stop seeing the spectacular things of the world and social media. Instead, close your eyes and hear a gentle whisper from the Lord. God is with you through a gentle whisper such as your one to one Bible study or testimony writing or prayer. At that time, you do not see the world and yourself but only see Jesus Christ, who loves you and has redeemed you from sin and curse. This is recovery from depression.
Police dogs undergo 16 weeks of intensive training before taking a graduation test. All the dogs are shown a delicious piece of meat. Some dogs drool, stare at the meat, and bite into it. “Hey, you failed. Go back to 16 weeks training!” Some dogs don't look at the meat, instead only their trainer. "You passed."
Folks, why do you stare at a chunk of meat and snap up it? There's poison of paralysis and death. Instead see your Savoir, Jesus Christ and His calling.
Folks, we have been saved by God’s grace. God tests you. Then, will you bite the lust, money, pleasures of the world? Will you avoid what you have to do but only do what you want to do? Isn't that like a dog biting into a piece of meat? A well-disciplined dog doesn't look at the meat but its trainer.
Many young people these days don't know devotion. They don't deny their flesh desires. Still, the Lord opens the ears of a few young men with His word in our church to dedicate themselves to the Lord in worship, prayer and gospel work. How amazing! I hope no one in our church lives like a dog biting into a piece of meat. See Jesus who carried out His cross and rose again from the dead with eternal glory as the Lord. Then you will surely be victorious.
Third, connect yourself to God and his mission
Verse 7 "Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” Elijah thought his journey was over. But he has a further and true journey to meet God. During a game, athletes experience pain. Yet, they keep playing. Why? “I can't miss this game. I have a path to follow.” Such awareness makes them keep playing in spite of pain. This is mission. A sense of mission transcends man’s current pain, obstacles or difficulties.
What is a mission? It is reason of man’s existence. If you know why you exist, you can overcome pain, hardship and temptation and keep running.. The reason you feel depressed or bored or lethargic is because you don't have a mission. Is making money is man’s mission? Is this so to you? No. Jeffery Epstein’s report tells it clearly. King Solomon’s late life proves it. If you don't know your mission, ask God. Would you finish your life after working hard to make money, eat, travel and enjoy some pleasures of the world?
After a great victory on Mount Carmel, Elijah fell into spiritual depression and said, “I want to die.” But verse 3 says, “He ran for his life.” This is contradictory to what he said. In fact, he fled to live more! Then why, “Lord, take my life?” It's because he did not know what to do. He had helped a helpless widow and raised her dead son. He had defeated King Ahab and 850 Baal prophets. Then he thought. “It is enough. I have finished it. Now I am tired.” Then he became depressed.
Is there anyone who feels depressed and lethargic? Is there anyone who wants to die? Come to me. I'll give you works to do. Give it everything you’ve got. Then, you won't want to die. This is the way to live. When someone says, "I want to die," it's a lie. We were not created that way. We were created to work hard for God's glory and our own happiness. Do the work of God.
Some ask me, “What is the work of God?” Write a testimony after Bible study, attend a prayer meeting, invite your family, friends and campus students to church, teach the Bible and go on a mission trip. Then, you will experience the fullness of life and the power of heaven. But, you don't want to do that, do you? If you barely attend church once a week, how can you know the joy and vitality that God gives? We fall into depression because we only compete to be more successful or seek out worldly pleasures without mission of God. It is because we selfishly seek our own security and comfort.
Elijah was a prophet of God in that dark era. He was called to fulfill God's will and vision. But he was shaken like a leaf due to fear of death.
Christians are called by God Almighty to do worship, prayer and gospel work in the name of Jesus Christ. But it is very heart-breaking to see people who don't carry out the mission of God when it conflicts with their own interests. “I have an exam tomorrow. I have to go to the airport, so I can't come to church today. I'm not going to the Bible conference because of the fee.” Would you like to share your testimony? “Well, maybe next time.” It is unbelievable how little faith and devotion they have. A life of faith is to loss for Christ Jesus. That is the only way to gain.
After a victory, Elijah fell into a slump when he saw his expectation was unfulfilled. It's frightening to remain in a victory we achieve. You must break the expectation that everything will be alright after experiencing a victory. How? Go to the Mountain of Horeb. There confront God and listen to his gentle voice and connect yourself with God and His mission. When Elijah did it, his second stage of life became even more fruitful, fresh, lively and full of vitality. He made a new leap forward. He broke free from the entanglements of self-satisfaction, self-expectations and mannerism.
If you remain stuck in the small satisfaction or achievement, you will never escape the hamster wheel life. If you are content with studying, earning money, eating with your friends, traveling, and saving money, you will leave this world with regret without ever experiencing the power of heaven and the true meaning of life. If you do not seek to know why Jesus died on the cross, His resurrection power and eternity, you are like dead though you breathe. Don't end your life just studying, working, earning money, and being consumed by the approval of the world. You need to go to the mountain of God and confront Him.
Up until now, Elijah's enemies were Ahab and Jezebel. However, his scale became bigger by connecting himself with God and his mission. He was transformed. His perspective was shifted. He no longer fought Jezebel. By God’s command, he anointed Hazael king over Aram, a Gentile nation. He also anointed Jehu king over Israel and anointed Elisha to be his successor. He also raised many spiritual leaders who could influence the times. He did not remain in the memory of the victory on Mount Carmel. He broke free from the shackles of self-satisfaction and individualism. Then his ministry expanded more than a hundredfold. He went on to experience a remarkable revival. There was a paradigm shift in his life from himself to God, personal success and self-satisfaction to raising spiritual leaders for the whole world. I pray that you may also experience this paradigm shift in your life.
Therefore, do not be content with what you have or achieve. Or do not fear of failure or the world's gaze. It's okay if you haven't accomplished anything yet. Connect yourself with God and his mission. By faith, stop biting into the flesh of worldly desires. Don’t remain in your personal success. And risk your life to worship, pray and carry out things given to you from God. You will experience Elijah's God and live like Elijah.