In Dr. Mike Harder’s sermon “Running on Empty” from First Baptist Spartanburg, he explores the theme of spiritual and emotional depletion through the story of Elijah. After experiencing miraculous victories, Elijah reaches a point of exhaustion and despair, feeling completely empty. Harder parallels this with the experience of modern believers, emphasizing that feelings of emptiness and burnout are common but also an invitation to encounter God’s restoration and provision. He highlights that God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness, as shown by Elijah’s encounter with the Angel of the Lord, who provided physical sustenance and spiritual renewal. The sermon encourages believers to embrace their moments of emptiness as opportunities to experience God’s grace and faithfulness, reminding them that God meets them in their brokenness and provides the strength needed for their journey.