Tract Number 16

The Devil uses every tool he possibly can to defeat mankind.  Discouragement is one of his most used and effective methods against God’s people.  If he can get us discouraged and living defeated lives, he will jump for joy, stand back, and laugh at us.  As long as we are discouraged, we cannot be of help to those around us and especially to those who are lost without God.

     Throughout the Bible, we find men and women who have been discouraged.  Today, we find many who are so discouraged they are ready to throw in the towel and quit.  Many even get to the place that they wonder if there is any reason to live.

     Elijah, the great man of God who was able to pray and stop it from raining for three and one half years, then pray and call fire down from heaven and cause it to rain again, got discouraged.  He got to the place he even wanted to die.  If men like Elijah got discouraged, you can rest assured that you will also.  Read I Kings chapters 18 and 19 for the whole story.

     Jonah, another man of God, got to the place he wanted to die also.  He got to feeling sorry for himself.  Satan will work overtime in this area.  As long as we look at the circumstances around us we will always lean toward discouragement.  When we see the sins of the land, the prosperity of the wicked, sickness, and death we will get discouraged and even stay that way as long as we keep looking at these things.

     Encouragement only can come from the LORD.  Everything is alright in our Father’s house.  David said:

 Psalms 121:1-2, I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth."

 Paul said:

Hebrews 12:2, "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."

 Isaiah said:

Isaiah 54:17, "No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD."

 Colossians 3:2, "Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth."

      Elijah and Jonah both found their encouragement from the LORD.  We too must do the same.  This world holds nothing but trouble for the Child of God.

Job 14:1, "Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble."

Job 5:7, "Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward."

      If you are suffering from discouragement, just bow your head and ask the Lord to help you right now.  After all, He is the only one who can really help you.  He is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.  He will never leave you or forsake you.  If you are saved God is on your side and if God is for you who can be against you?  If you are not saved bow your head and repent of your sin today before it is too late.