使人重新得力
列王紀上十九章5至9節、13至18節
5他就躺在羅騰樹下，睡著了。有一個天使拍他，說：起來吃罷！
6他觀看，見頭旁有一瓶水與炭火燒的餅，他就吃了喝了，仍然躺下。
7耶和華的使者第二次來拍他，說：起來吃罷！因為你當走的路甚遠。
8他就起來吃了喝了，仗著這飲食的力，走了四十晝夜，到了神的山，就是何烈山。
9他在那裡進了一個洞，就住在洞中。耶和華的話臨到他說：以利亞啊，你在這裡做甚麼？
13以利亞聽見，就用外衣蒙上臉，出來站在洞口。有聲音向他說：以利亞啊，你在這裡做甚麼？
14他說：我為耶和華─萬軍之神大發熱心；因為以色列人背棄了你的約，毀壞了你的壇，用刀殺了你的先知，只剩下我一個人，他們還要尋索我的命。
15耶和華對他說：你回去，從曠野往大馬士革去。到了那裡，就要膏哈薛作亞蘭王，
16又膏寧示的孫子耶戶作以色列王，並膏亞伯米何拉人沙法的兒子以利沙作先知接續你。
17將來躲避哈薛之刀的，必被耶戶所殺；躲避耶戶之刀的，必被以利沙所殺。
18但我在以色列人中為自己留下七千人，是未曾向巴力屈膝的，未曾與巴力親嘴的。
信息分享
首先，神關心他的肉體需要。當人情緒低落的時候，通常會漠視自己；有些人以暴飲暴食麻醉自己，但更多人會懶得進食。
神叫天使為他送上食物。換言之，我們也當先關心對方的肉體需要，為他送上食物並讓他好好休息。天使沒有向以利亞訓話一番，只是為他預備食物，叫醒他進食。誰能抗拒烤餅的香氣呢？吃過喝過，這是恢復氣力和重新振作的第一步。
然後，神處理他的內心困擾。「你在這裡做甚麼？」你能想象，神用極之溫柔的聲音來喚醒以利亞，叫他面對自己的處境和問題嗎？神彷彿對他說：「以利亞，你不能永遠逃避。」
接著，神用震撼人心的景象，來顯明祂的能力、榮耀和溫柔。神豈不是要藉著這一切，來使他定睛在祂身上嗎？神豈不是要對他說「我從未失掉能力和慈愛」嗎？
經過這一切之後，神還做了兩件奇妙的事，讓我們可以從中學習，獲益良多。祂給以利亞一位朋友，並指派他一些工作。以利亞的新朋友就是以利沙，在往後十年，以利沙一直忠心耿耿地服侍和追隨他，從來沒有一刻離開過，直至神把以利亞接走為止。
此外，神還對他說：「以利亞，不要以為只有你一人是對我忠心的；在以色列還有7,000人是跟從我的，所以你絕不孤單。」
總而言之，神的幫助是照顧以利亞在肉體、心靈、靈性和情緒等各方面的需要。你知道現在有誰正需要你的幫助嗎？你能否像神幫助以利亞一樣去關心朋友呢？我們能否既溫柔、又堅定地扶立他呢？你願意成為他們的朋友嗎？你真誠的關懷和懇切的代禱，必能使他們重新振作起來。
HELP IN DEPRESSION
1 Kings 19:5-9 and 13-18
5 Then as he lay and slept under a broom tree, suddenly an angel touched him, and said to him, “Arise and eat.”
6 Then he looked, and there by his head was a cake baked on coals, and a jar of water. So he ate and drank, and lay down again.
7 And the angel of the LORD came back the second time, and touched him, and said, “Arise and eat, because the journey is too great for you.”
8 So he arose, and ate and drank; and he went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights as far as Horeb, the mountain of God.
9 And there he went into a cave, and spent the night in that place; and behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and He said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
13 So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him, and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
14 And he said, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God of hosts; because the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.”
15 Then the LORD said to him: “Go, return on your way to the Wilderness of Damascus; and when you arrive, anoint Hazael as king over Syria.
16 Also you shall anoint Jehu the son of Nimshi as king over Israel. And Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel Meholah you shall anoint as prophet in your place.
17 It shall be that whoever escapes the sword of Hazael, Jehu will kill; and whoever escapes the sword of Jehu, Elisha will kill.
18 Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.”
Message
The beautiful, loving, wise way God dealt with Elijah when he was worn out and depressed is a wonderful example for us. Here are some methods which can be used to help a friend suffering from the same problems - depression, low self-esteem and failure.
First, God helped him physically. When most people are depressed, they tend to neglect themselves. A few become compulsive eaters but many simply refuse food.
God provided food for Elijah in a miraculous way. We cannot do that, but we can try to help our loved one eat and sleep. The angels didn't preach to Elijah. They simply fed him and cared for him. Who can resist the smell of fresh bread cooking? That food was the first step in his restoration.
Then God dealt with him mentally. He asked Elijah, "What are you doing here?" Can you imagine the gentleness of God's voice as He tried to get Elijah to face up to his situation and problem? It was as if God was saying, "You can't run away for ever, Elijah."
Next came a powerful vision of God's power, His glory and tenderness. Was God trying to get Elijah's attention? Was God saying "I haven't lost any of my power and love"?
After all this, God did two more amazing actions. They too are a helpful lesson for us. He gave Elijah a friend and something to do. Elisha was Elijah's new friend. He served Elijah faithfully and went with him everywhere. Whatever happened he would not leave him. It is possible that they were together for over ten years before God called Elijah away.
There was one more thing. God said, "Elijah, don't ever get the idea that you are the only believer. There are 7,000 in Israel who still follow me. You are not alone."
How did God help Elijah? Physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally. Do you know someone who needs help just now? Could you begin where God did? Can you be as gentle and yet strong as God was? Can you be their friend? This and your prayers could make all the difference in their life.