Isaiah 35:1–7 (NLT) — 1 Even the wilderness and desert will be glad in those days. The wasteland will rejoice and blossom with spring crocuses. 2 Yes, there will be an abundance of flowers and singing and joy! The deserts will become as green as the mountains of Lebanon, as lovely as Mount Carmel or the plain of Sharon. There the LORD will display his glory, the splendor of our God. 3 With this news, strengthen those who have tired hands, and encourage those who have weak knees. 4 Say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, and do not fear, for your God is coming to destroy your enemies. He is coming to save you.” 5 And when he comes, he will open the eyes of the blind and unplug the ears of the deaf. 6 The lame will leap like a deer, and those who cannot speak will sing for joy! Springs will gush forth in the wilderness, and streams will water the wasteland. 7 The parched ground will become a pool, and springs of water will satisfy the thirsty land. Marsh grass and reeds and rushes will flourish where desert jackals once lived.

1. Discouragement Feels Like:

1. Tired Hands: Discouragement is when your hands are tired of doing good. 
2. Weak Knees: Discouragement is when your knees get tired of standing.
3. Fearful Hearts: Discouragement is when your heart is full of fear because of uncertainty in the future.

Psalm 42:1–4 (NLT) — 1 As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. 2 I thirst for God, the living God. When can I go and stand before him? 3 Day and night I have only tears for food, while my enemies continually taunt me, saying, “Where is this God of yours?” 4 My heart is breaking as I remember how it used to be: I walked among the crowds of worshipers, leading a great procession to the house of God, singing for joy and giving thanks amid the sound of a great celebration!

2. Discouragement is Caused by:

1. Spiritual War - “Taunted by enemies”
   1. YOU CAN’T LET YOUR GUARD DOWN
   2. YOU MUST RECOGNIZE THE DARTS OF THE ENEMY!
2. Comparison – “As I remember how it used to be”
   1. Timeline Comparison: Sometimes our greatest discouragement isn’t what’s happening now—it’s what we think we’ve lost.
   2. Comparison with others
3. Frustrated with fruit - “leading a great procession to the house of God”
   1. Psalm 42:4 – The psalmist mourns not just the past, but his former role in it. He once led the procession, but now he feels on the outside looking in.
   2. Truth: Your past significance doesn’t define your future purpose. God’s not done using you! Isaiah 43:19 – “See, I am doing a new thing!”

Psalm 42:5-8 (NLT) — 5 Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again— my Savior and 6 my God! Now I am deeply discouraged, but I will remember you— even from distant Mount Hermon, the source of the Jordan, from the land of Mount Mizar. 7 I hear the tumult of the raging seas as your waves and surging tides sweep over me. 8 But each day the LORD pours his unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing his songs, praying to God who gives me life.

3. Discouragement is Overcome by:

1. Hope in God “I will put my hope in God”
   1. Hope is the belief that things will work out and will improve. 
   2. We hope because He’s promised! 
2. Praise Him Again 
3. Remember Him 
   1. Remember His kindness to you.
   2. Remember His faithfulness to you.
   3. Remember His miracles.
4. Receive Fresh Grace