But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers. And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat. And he looked, and behold, there was a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink, and laid him down again.
I Kings 19:4-6
Elijah was one of the greatest prophets that ever lived. He was a mighty man of God who is famous for challenging the false prophets of Baal and convincing the Israelites that the Lord is God. He is famous for his mighty power in prayer. But in these verses we see a different side of Elijah. In these verses, Elijah is discouraged. He had just won a great victory for the Lord, but soon after, he finds himself discouraged.
If a man like Elijah can get discouraged, how much more are we prone to become discouraged? There is no person on the Earth who is immune to discouragement. It’s easy to get down as we go through life, but there is always hope. Elijah wanted to just die. But “as he lay and slept”, an angel touched him and brought him food and water to strengthen him.
How often has that happened to us (maybe not literally, but figuratively)? How often has the Lord given us just the little amount of encouragement that we need to keep us going? How often has He helped us when we were discouraged? He knows just what we need and He stands ready to help us if we will look to Him.
If you are going through a period of discouragement, look to Him. He knows just what you need.
Justified Freely 
Posted by Darren Poke on June 24, 2010 at 6:27 am
Great post and a terrific example to us all.
I love the story of Elijah. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Cheers,
Darren
Posted by justifiedfreely on June 24, 2010 at 8:25 pm
Thanks for reading. Elijah is a great example to all of us.
Posted by Linda Kruschke on June 24, 2010 at 11:57 am
Ben, I love stories like this in the Bible of real people who loved God but went through the same trials and discouragement that we do. Even Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane felt discouragement. I appreciate your thought that God knows what we need in these times and provides the encouragement we need. I have found lately that often that encouragement comes through the post of a fellow blogger like you. Peace, Linda
Posted by justifiedfreely on June 24, 2010 at 8:27 pm
Thanks, Linda. I also like the stories that make me realize that no matter how great a man of God is, he is still a man. Elijah was discouraged, Peter had a temper and was full of pride- the list goes on and on. I’m glad the Lord can use something like a blog to encourage people. God is good.
Posted by Debbie Feller on June 25, 2010 at 7:57 am
Thanks Ben, for being His encourager to us today! 🙂 I might feel like I’m doing nothing right, but He always comes along with a little something to make me smile and laugh . . .and realize that I’m not off track. I just let my emotions get the better of me sometimes! God bless you!
Posted by justifiedfreely on June 26, 2010 at 6:17 am
Thanks- I also think many times that I’m doing nothing right. I have found it easy to get discouraged when I think about all of my past failures. Sometimes dwelling on those things even causes to me come close to despair. But, the Lord is good and I know that He will give me what I need. It’s easy to let emotions get the better of you. I’m glad this was an encouragement!