1. Overcoming Discouragement 1 Kings 19:9-18

2. Meeting of Satan and his workers 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 Definition –To be deprived of hope and confidence, leading to despair and despondency –One gives up and quits

3. Elijah’s Circumstances 1 Kings 18 –Meeting arranged with Ahab (vv. 1-15) –Test proposed (vv. 16-19) –False prophets destroyed (vv. 20-40) 1 Kings 19 –Jezebel threatens Elijah (vv. 1, 2) –Elijah fled and hid in a cave (vv. 3-8) –God comes to Elijah (vv. 9-18) –Elijah had quit in spite of the great victory

4. Causes of Discouragement Moral decline of Israel (v. 10) –They had become Baal worshipers –Ahab had married a non-Israelite –They turned away from God –We see the same and become discouraged –Need to be steadfast (1 Corinthians 15:58)

5. Causes of Discouragement Physical exhaustion (v. 10) –Link between the physical and psychological –Satan will hit us in a moment of weakness –Rest makes us more alert and stable –Jesus took time to rest (Mark 3:20; 6:31)

6. Causes of Discouragement Emotional exhaustion –Elijah’s preaching seemed fruitless –People were fickle (1 Kings 18:39) –Faithfulness like the morning dew (Hosea 6:4) –Preaching seems to change only a few –Compare attendance from morning to evening

7. Causes of Discouragement Elijah felt alone (v. 10) –“I alone am left” –Seems like nobody else cares –Where are the faithful?

8. Cure for Discouragement Realize God’s nearness (vv. 11-14) –God withheld His presence until a gentle wind –He is not only there on “powerful occasions” –Promised to the apostles (Matthew 28:20) –Promise to us (Philippians 4:7) –He was with Paul (2 Timothy 4:16-18) –He cares (1 Peter 5:7) –“Let the Lord take the night shift”

9. Cure for Discouragement Get to work (v. 17) –No time for pity –There was work to do (1 Corinthians 15:58) –Put on the armor (Ephesians 6:10-18) –The day is at hand (Romans 13:11-14)

10. Cure for Discouragement Remember victory is certain (v. 17) –The wicked will be destroyed –Victory is for the just (2 Thessalonians 1:6-9) –Be confident (2 Timothy 4:6-8) –Keep your eye on Jesus (Hebrews 12:1, 2) –Remember the crown of life (James 1:2-4, 12) –Trust in God, not self (2 Corinthians 1:9-11)

11. Cure for Discouragement Remember there are other faithful (v. 18) –God had “seven thousand” like Elijah –Other become discouraged (1 Peter 5:7) –Spend time with other Christians

12. 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?