There's an old legend that tells how God sent one of his angels to Satan with the message that all the methods the devil uses to defeat Christians would be taken from him. The devil pleaded to be allowed to keep only one. The angel, thinking it an unusual modest request from the greedy devil, agreed Satan could keep that one. "Which one would you want to keep?" the angel inquired. "Let me keep discouragement," was Lucifer's reply. The angel agreed. Satan could keep discouragement. And the devil rejoiced for, said he, "In this one I have secured all I shall ever need to accomplish my dastardly work."

Have you ever felt discouraged? Have you been at the point where you believed your best had already been? Have you experienced that miserable, wretched sickness of the spirit that leaves you feeling useless, uninvolved and in deep, hopeless despair? Do you know that feeling that leaves you wondering if God is through with you? If you have not been there, the chances are you will. Almost all of us experience spiritual depression at one time or another in our lives. It seems to be part and parcel of the normal human experience.

Until now Elijah's life was uniquely marked by success. Everything he put his hand to seemed to prosper. When it seemed as though he should have been riding the crest of the wave, depression entered his life proving that James was right when he said, "Elijah was a human being like us" (James 5:17). A woman in his congregation asked one of my preacher friends what accounted for Elijah's depression asked a pastor friend. "How come," she wanted to know, "there was this sudden change from the bold prophet of God on Mount Carmel to the fearful man who fled from Jezebel and whimpered out a prayer request for death to come quickly?" It was a good question. At first glance it does seem rather strange that a man who rebuked a king, challenged 450 Baal prophets on Mount Carmel and called down fire from heaven should become so discouraged. Yet, he did! When you think about it for a bit it's not as unusual as we might have believed. You can be sure that Elijah's adrenaline was flowing freely when he was on the mountain and as he ran those seventeen miles into Jezreel. He was ripe for an emotional collapse. When Jezebel warned him what she planned to do, his mind went into park and his feelings took over, causing him to panic and want to die. Blinded by emotion, he was persuaded that his victory on Mount Carmel was of no account. His negative thoughts coupled with exhaustion coming off his powerful victory caused him to fall into a deep depression. Some of you will identify with that. You have been there. Perhaps you are now. If that is the case, God has a wonderful word for you today. Let's think about Elijah's experience and see what God has in store.

I. Elijah's dilapidated condition

"He asked that he might die: 'It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my ancestors'" (1 Kings 19:4). Have you ever "had enough?" Not long ago a friend of mine was leading a church retreat. It was attended by a number of young families from the church. One young woman had to go alone because her husband, who had just had major surgery, was unable to get any more time off work and go with her. Late one evening, her misbehaving children seemed to be out of control. Suddenly she screamed, "I'm a woman on the edge!" It was a cry for help that I suspect is being made by many young mothers in our high-pressure world.