EVIDENCE
Key text:
Exodus
14:10-18
Wednesday, January 27
The Best (and Worst) by Gary Brendel
of Times
Our casual recollections regularly confirm the observations of po-
ets, artists, philosophers, and theologians. It is memorably stated by
Charles Dickens in his classic A Tale of Two Cities. We have all ob-
served that: these are the best of times, the worst of times. It seems
as though often these two extremes are juxtaposed against each
other in our lives. The best of times, the worst of times.
The experience of Elijah recorded in 1 Kings 19 reminds us of how
the best of times are balanced in life by the worst of times. Elijah’s
triumph over the prophets of Baal was followed by his flight in ter-
ror from Jezebel. In Exodus 14 and 15 we see that the euphoria that
must surely have been a part of the celebration of the Israelites over
their deliverance from Pharaoh’s armies at the Red Sea, was fol-
lowed by Israelite discouragement and depression over being sepa-
rated from their former Egyptian life-style.
For the most of us, when it is good, it is really good, and when it is
bad, it is terrible. Our exalted experiences, be they emotional or
spiritual, are often followed by depression and discouragement.
Why does this seem so common?
Some have speculated that this is a psychological reaction to a
peak experience that is impossible to sustain. Others have consid-
ered it to be the human response produced by Satan’s efforts to
break our hold on God. In the experiences of Elijah, the Israelites,
and you and me, the crucial element of faith, which could sustain us
during these times, eludes us.
Erik Erikson argued that achieving a sense of “basic trust” is a
crucial task in personality development. A similar form of trust is
essential in the development of an active Christian life. It allows an
Elijah to return rather than run, it prompts the Israelites to praise
for deliverance rather than plead for return, and it is the ingredient
of our lives that can provide us a consistency in our religious experi-
ence rather than the all-too-common cycle marked by highs and
lows.
REACT
1. Why does discouragement often follow exalted spiritual experi-
ences? Is it only a psychological reaction or does it also involve
Satan’s effort to break our hold on God?
2. Why would Satan choose such moments to attack a Christian?
Gary Brendel] is a teacher of psychology at Walla Walla College,
Washington.
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