ELIJAH'S DISCOURAGEMENT

1 Kings 19:1-18

By David J. Riggs

Intro.
   A. James 5:16b-18
      1. In answer to Elijah's prayer, God withheld rain for three
         years and six months.
      2. Again, in answer to his prayer, God watered the parched
         earth.
      3. Elijah's first prayer is not recorded in the O.T., but the
         second one is. 1 Kings 18:42-46
   B. We often think of the prophets as super humans, altogether
      different from any of us.
      1. However, James says that Elijah was a man with a nature like
         ours.
      2. When we see Elijah sitting under the juniper tree, we see   
         that he was very much like any of us.
      3. In utter disappointment and despair, he cried, "It is       
         enough! Now, LORD, take my life, for I am no better than my
         fathers!" 1 Kings 19:4
   C. As it was with Elijah, we, too, often face disappointment and
      despair.
      1. Let's look at the reasons for Elijah's despair and,         
         hopefully, it will help us in our hard times.

I. FIRST, ELIJAH WAS PHYSICALLY EXHAUSTED.
   A. Notice how he had become physically exhausted.
      1. He ran before Ahab, in the rain, from Mount Carmel to
         Jezreel, about 30 miles. 1 Kings 18:46
      2. When Jezebel threatened his life, he fled to Beersheba,
         another 60 miles south. 1 Kings 19:1-3
      3. He went another's day's journey (about 15 miles) and sat
         down under a juniper tree
         a. The juniper tree is a small tree with heavy foliage, now
            called the "broom tree" by the Arabs.
         b. Thus, Elijah, completely exhausted, sits down under the
            shade of a tree.
   B. Our spiritual state is often affected by our physical          
      condition.
      1. Jesus said, "The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is
         weak." Matt. 26:41
      2. Satan tries to tempt us when we are tired and weary.
   C. It behooves us to take care of our physical condition so that  
      it will not affect our spiritual well being.
      1. The Sunday morning "blahs" is often due to the Saturday
         night "spree."
      2. Often we do not study, pray, or do personal work because
         we have worn ourselves out physically by some unimportant
         physical activity.
      3. Jesus taught Martha to choose the good part which shall not
         be taken away from her. Luke 10:38-42
         a. When our physical activities interfere with our spiritual
            duties, some changes need to be made.

II. ELIJAH FELT WORTHLESS AND ALONE.
   A. Elijah felt so worthless that he was ready to die. 1 Kings 19:4
      1. Later, after he had run far away, God asked him, "What are
         you doing here Elijah?" 1 Kings 19:9
      2. In his depression, he tended to exaggerate his troubles;    
         e.g., "I alone am left; and they seek to take my life." 1   
         Kings 19:10
   B. In depression, he had forgotten his victories.
      1. He had forgotten how he had defeated the prophets of Baal
         on mount Carmel. 1 Kings 18:27-29,32-38
      2. He had forgotten the confession of the people. 1 Kings 18:39
         a. He could only hear the threats of wicked Jezebel. 1
            Kings 19:2
   C. Most of all, he had forgotten that God was still with him.
      1. Even when God had proved His existence, Elijah was still
         despondent. 1 Kings 19:11-13
      2. God commanded him to go do certain things. 1 Kings 19:15-
         16
         a. In other words, "Why are you running away when you
            have all these great works to do?"
      3. Also, God assured him that he was not the only faithful
         person left. 1 Kings 19:18
         a. This was quoted by Paul to show that not all the Jews
            had been cast away. Rom. 11:1-5
   D. It is right for us to become disturbed at the indifference,    
      rebellion, and immorality in the world today; however, we      
      should not get the idea that everyone in the world is evil.
      1. There is always a remnant.

III. HOW CAN WE OVERCOME DISCOURAGEMENT?
   A. First, consider the negative, the wrong ways to overcome
      depression.
      1.  Not by escape.
         a. Elijah ran away, and it only made matters worse.
         b. No one has ever successfully run away from problems.
         c. One of the Peanuts Cartoons by Charles Shultz had
            Charley Brown saying, "There is no problem so great
            that I can't run away from!"
         d. Some people are like that. The greater the problem, the
            faster and farther they run.
      2. Not by self pity.
         a. Self pity only helped Elijah sink deeper into depression.
         b. It doesn't do us any good to mope around bemoaning
            our situation.
         c. Consider what David did when under great stress. 1
            Sam. 30:1-6
      3. Not by medicines.
         a. Sometimes prescription drugs may be needed in acute
            situations, but drugs cannot take away the cause for
            depression.
      4. Not by alcohol.
         a. People often try to drown their sorrows by drinking
            alcohol.
         b. After they sober up, they find that the problems causing
            their depression are still around. Prov. 20:1
         c. This is from a former alcoholic.
            I drank for happiness and became unhappy. 
            I drank for joy and became miserable. 
            I drank for sociability and became argumentative. 
            I drank for sophistication and became obnoxious. 
            I drank for sleep and woke up tired. 
            I drank for strength and felt weak. 
            I drank for relaxation and got the shakes. 
            I drank to make conversation easier and slurred my
            speech. 
            I drank for confidence and became doubtful.
            I drank for courage and became afraid.
   B. Consider the positive side. We can overcome depression:
      1. By trusting in the power of God.
         a. Instead of fearing Jezebel, Elijah should have relied on
            God for help and protection.
         b. When Elijah came to realize that God was still with him;
            that God still had a work for him; and that there were
            many others who were faithfully serving God, he got
            busy performing his duty.
         c. When we, too, fully realize these things, we will be a
            strong force for good in this world.
      2. By making personal application.
         a. Have you ever been in a hopeless situation?
         b. Have you felt you have no place to turn and there is
            nobody who cares?
         c. As Elijah, have you desperately sought a place of rest
            and peace?
         d. Remember, in the desert of sorrow and sin, there is a
            God who cares. In Him is rest and peace.
      3. By strong personal effort.
         a. We must commit ourselves to God. Prov. 3:5; Psalm
            37:1-6
            (1) People of the world try to solve their problems by
                worldly means, but Christians rely on the strength
                of God.
         b. We must diligently pray. Phil. 4:6-7; 1 Pet. 5:7
         c. We must use the word of God to give us comfort and
            strength. Rom. 15:4
         d. This is entitled, How To Forfeit Peace, from Lists to
            Live By, by Alice Gray, Steve Stephens, & John Van
            Diest, p. 204: 
            1. Resent God's ways. 
            2. Worry as much as possible. 
            3. Pray only about things you can't manage by yourself. 
            4. Refuse to accept what God gives. 
            5. Look for peace elsewhere than in God. 
            6. Try to rule your own life. 
            7. Doubt God's word. 
            8. Carry all you cares. 

Concl.
   A. Elijah was a great man of God; but he, like all men, had his
      weaknesses.
   B. God, in his mercy, offered him help, and Elijah took advantage 
      of it.
   E. God will bless and help us when we turn to Him.