1 Kings 19:9-14 9 Then he came there to a cave, and lodged there; and behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 10 And he said, “I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of hosts; for the sons of Israel have forsaken Thy covenant, torn down Thine altars and killed Thy prophets with the sword…”

1 Kings 19:9-14 “… And I alone am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.” 11 So He said, “Go forth and stand on the mountain before the LORD.” And behold, the LORD was passing by! And a great and strong wind was rending the mountains and breaking in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind…”

1 Kings 19:9-14 “And after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 12 And after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of a gentle blowing. 13 And it came about when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave…”

1 Kings 19:9-14 And behold, a voice came to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 14 Then he said, “I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of hosts; for the sons of Israel have forsaken Thy covenant, torn down Thine altars and killed Thy prophets with the sword. And I alone am left; and they seek my life to take it away.”

Handling Discouragement 1 Kings 19:1-18

Introduction Background Opening for discouragement Jezebel angry Elijah on the run Opening for discouragement A universal problem Effective tool of Satan

Satan and His Workers Meeting Agenda: Tempting Elijah Pleasure of sin? Didn’t work for Joseph Pain of virtue? Didn’t work for Job Discouragement? Works almost all the time

Satan and His Workers Definition To be deprived of hope and confidence, leading to despair and despondency One gives up and quits

THE DEVIL’S TOOL SALE There's an old fable that says the Devil once held a sale and offered all the tools of his trade to anyone who would pay their price. They were spread out on the table and each one labeled. Hatred, malice, envy, despair, sickness, sensuality -- all the weapons that everyone knows so well. But off to one side lay a harmless looking wood-shaped instrument marked “discouragement.”

THE DEVIL’S TOOL SALE It was old and worn looking but it was priced far above all the rest. When asked the reason why, the Devil replied, “Because I can use this one so much more easily than the others. No one knows that it belongs to me, so with it I can open doors that are tightly bolted against the others. Once I get inside I can use any tool that suits me best.” (From Bible Illustrator)

Employment Profession, business, job, etc. Problems with coworkers Loss of employment (Matthew 6:33)

Family Problems Not the dream of a lifetime (Proverbs 31:10) Disappointment with children (Psalm 127:3-5) Illness and death of a loved one

Teaching Others Negative factors Closed and dull minds ( Matthew 13:15; Hebrews 5:11-14) Opposition (John 11:47-50; 19:12) Evil (Romans 1:18-32; 2:1) Drop in interest (John 6:66-68)

Spiritual Concerns Family member Church (2 Corinthians 11:28) Fall away (Hebrews 3:12) Immorality (Galatians 5:19-21; 6:1)

Summary Universal problem Preachers/elders as well as others Satan seeks influential people (Luke 22:31, 32) Discouragement not a sin May lead to sin (1 Kings 19:9)

False Remedy Run away Elijah tried (1 Kings 19:1-7) Felt alone Can’t run from God (omniscient) (Psalm 139:7-12; Luke 9:62) Can’t run from self (conscience)

False Remedy Become cynical “Nobody cares” Make excuses for ourselves Believe there is no solution (Romans 8:37; Philippians 4:13)

Remedy Think it through Trust God (Psalm 73:3; Hebrews 13:5, 6) Being tested for our good (1 Peter 1:6, 7; 4:12, 13) Rejoice (James 1:2, 3, 12)

Remedy Realize God’s nearness At all times (1 Kings 19:11-14) With the apostles (Matthew 28:20) Promise to us (Philippians 4:7) With Paul (2 Timothy 4:16) “Let the Lord take the night shift” (George McMasters)

Remedy Get to work No time for pity (1 Kings 19:17) Work to do (1 Corinthians 15:58) Put on the armor (Ephesians 6:10-18) The day is at hand (Romans 13:11-14)

Remedy Remember other faithful ones God had “seven thousand” like Elijah Spend time with other Christians

We Need God’s Help Satan will try to discourage us “Those who live in the sunshine should trust God, those who live in the shadows must!” Are you trusting in God?