We are continuing the series I Can’t Stay Here.

 In 1 Kings 19:3-4 (NLT2) ‘Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. He went to Beersheba, a town in Judah, and he left his servant there. Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died.” We talked about him needing rest, bread, and water…Jesus tells us to come all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest. The bread represented Jesus and His Word…He is the Bread of Life and when we consume Him we find salvation and peace. The water represents Holy Spirit in our lives…Living Water! Today I want us to look at what happens to us if we allow our spirits to go un-nurtured for a long period of time and how we can allow our spirits to dry out…Danger!

1. Running on empty. The unfilled tank spiritually is an invitation to disaster. We must understand that when we run out of gas, it not only affects us, but those around us. Romans 14:7 (NKJV) “For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself.” Here is a caution to those of us who preach and those of us who are involved in the music of a Spirit-filled church. It is easy to mistake the applause and approval of the admiring crowd as God’s approval. MacDonald – It is action without heart, oratory without power, doctrine without love. People who are dried out within can often be, for a while, the hardest workers. But they can also become the harshest critics and the most negative teammates. Inside they experience a rising turbulence—confused goals and motives and inconsistent, unexplainable patterns of personal performance. 

2. King David facing another giant. As we study the life of King David I believe we can see a man who is faced with the temptation of adultery and murder and he is dried out spiritually and, unfortunately doesn’t even see it. James 1:14-16 (NKJV) “But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.” 

3. Repentance and humility will restore us. Psalm 51:1 (NKJV) “Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your lovingkindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions.” David finally realized…I Can’t Stay Here…I must get back to the Lord. We can’t stay here.