The Devil At Your Doorstep: The Devil is A Discourager

Now summon all Israel to join me at Mount Carmel, along with the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah who are supported by Jezebel. - 1 Kings 18:19

When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, ‘The Lord—he is God! The Lord—he is God!’  Then Elijah commanded them, ‘Seize the prophets of Baal. Don’t let anyone get away!’ They seized them, and Elijah had them brought down to the Kishon Valley and slaughtered there. 1 Kings 18: 39-40

1.    Discouragement starts when our aren’t met.

Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, "May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them." - 1 Kings 19:1-2

Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. - 1 Kings 19:3

When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. - 1 Kings 19:3

2.    Discouragement grows when we from others.

He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. "I have had enough, Lord," he said. "Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors." 1 Kings 19:4


Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep. All at once an angel touched him and said, "Get up and eat."  He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again. The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, "Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you." So he got up and ate and drank. 1 Kings 19: 5-8

3.  Discouragement peaks when we .

…he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. There he went into a cave and spent the night. - 1 Kings 19:8-9

First, God will never leave us.

Second, God is working His plan.
 
Third, God will fight our battles.


4.    Discouragement ends when we .

"What are you doing here, Elijah?" 1 Kings 19:9

"I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” 1 Kings 19:10