Refuel, Renew, Relaunch | Rev’d Dr Taiye Adeola

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TEXT: 1 KINGS 19:1-8
The need to survive and the desire to fulfill purpose in life puts man through diverse experiences.– some good, others bad, some encouraging, others discouraging; some experiences bring joy while some bring moments of sorrow; man goes through moments of laughter and weeping if need be.

1 Peter 1:6 -7 says “Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ”

Life’s experiences vary from person to person and the disposition of each person is largely a function of the grounding we have in the Lord and the knowledge of the word of God in relation to the situation. Our relationship with God through Jesus Christ and a proper understanding of his purpose for our lives is crucial and determines what we do when confronted with the challenges of life.

We must know that God is constant and he is able to take us through whatever challenges come our way in life.

The story of Elijah as recorded in the passage that was read to us – 1 Kings 19: 1-8 has a background in chapter 18.

– Elijah was zealous for the Lord
– He spoke that there would be no rain
– He demonstrated great power on mount Carmel bringing down fire
– He killed four hundred prophets of Baal
– He was threatened by Jezebel and so he ran for his life

The story gives us a practical example of a man refreshed by God and empowered to move on in his journey. It depicts to us a reality of the fact that humans are frail, limited and can come to their wits end; we can suffer physical or spiritual exhaustion and feel like not going on.

The experience of Elijah depicts that man is fallible and needs God to move on in his life’s pursuits. Elijah said in verse 4 “It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers”.
Can you imagine a servant of God like Elijah asking that God will take his life; he got tired and thought there was no need to carry on but as far as God is concerned it was not time to die, it was time to renew his strength and continue on his divine assignment.

How many people today have sentenced themselves to an abrupt end in life and ministry because they saw no reason to go on; how many have even terminated their physical existence by committing suicide because of some challenges confronting them; how many people against God’s plan for them have refused to move on in life’s purpose because they came across obstacles and oppositions.

I ask you, have you come to the limit of your elasticity and you are saying like Elijah, it is enough, I can’t go on; it is enough I cannot bear it again, it is enough I am giving up, I will abandon it, I will move out and so on; It is time to REFUEL, RENEW AND RELAUNCH for “they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31).

We see clearly from Elijah’s experience that God knows our weaknesses, he understands and he is there for us at all times to handle our challenges and take care of our needs but we must understand his dealings with us. God gives strength to the weary, he supplies our needs as much as we wait on him.

Some people have allowed life’s experiences to define or redefine them, the situations that some people find themselves have made them to be discouraged and give up on great vision, dropped out of lofty calling and reduced some to irrelevance in their life’s purpose. This is certainly not the will of God; it is not time to give up, not time to go back; it is not time to get discouraged or become complacent; it is time to REFUEL, RENEW AND RELAUNCH.

From Elijah’s experience I want us to look at five issues to REFUEL. RENEW AND RELAUNCH
1. DIVINE TOUCH – Vv5&7 “And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat”. There was a first and second touch and it made a difference. When the divine touches you, or your situation, it can never remain the same.

2. DIVINE INSTRUCTION V5 – “Arise and Eat” – Get the instruction right to know what God is saying. Isaiah 30:21- “And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left”. Divine instruction is crucial for direction.

3. SENSITIVITY TO THE DIVINE – Jacob said “…Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not” (Genesis 28:16). You must sense the divine or you will miss your hour of visitation

4. DIVINE OPENING OF EYES – V6 “And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink, and laid him down again”. The divine instruction prompted him to open his eyes to see all the provisions. Many are not seeing what God has provided in Christ for them; many are blinded to the solution that God has given to their problems.

5. OBEDIENECE TO THE DIVINE INSTRUCTION (No arguments) vv6,7,& 8 You must respond to the divine in absolute obedience without trying to subject his instructions to human reasoning or questioning, even when it does not make sense to you. 7 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. 8 And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God.

What is the journey ahead of you, what is the task that is too big for you to handle, what challenges are on your way and you are afraid, what are your life experiences making you to feel like giving up; what battles are you fighting and it seem you will lose; I tell you in the name of the Lord you will make that journey, you will cross that red sea; you will win that battle; Jericho will fall before you; you will sing a new song for there will be a divine touch; there will be divine instruction; you will sense the divine; your eyes of understanding will open.
If you have failed before, it is not new, you will try again

If you have been disappointed before, no problem, you will not give up till you connect to your divine appointment.
If your past efforts have missed the target, it does not matter; you can refocus as you look unto Jesus to help you hit the target
If your business ideas have not seen the light of the day; don’t give it up, go back to the source of inspiration and get inspired for new ideas
If your marriage has not been working; trust God for a visitation and ask him to teach you how to handle your marriage
If you have failed in ministry, you can get it right if you will go back to God because faithful is he who has called you, he will do it (1Thess.5:24).
If it seems you have been caged by the enemy, don’t surrender, you can overcome for you can do all things through Christ that gives you strength (Phil.4:13). You can receive divine help to defeat the enemy.
If you have recorded success in different dimensions of your effort, you can do more, you can climb higher in your career, you can be more productive, your business can be bigger, and you can go higher in your academics.
If you have things you can point at as achievements now, you can record greater achievements. Don’t forget that the height of some people’s success is just the beginning for others.

To REFUEL, RENEW AND RELAUNCH the following are important
1. STAY CONNECTED TO THE SOURCE – John 15: 4-7
4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

2. GET NOURISHED BY THE SOURCE – You must have fellowship with God. 1John 1:3 – “That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ”.

3. UTILIZE WHAT YOU RECEIVE FROM THE SOURCE – 1 Kings 19:8 “And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God”.