Discouragement is a powerful tool of the “accuser,” our adversary; and this discouragement can lead us into a state of doubt and fear. Remember how the Hebrews became so discouraged by their circumstances that they had lost hope.
Numbers 14 records a very dark and discouraging moment for Moses and his leadership:
“Then the whole community broke into loud cries, and the people wept that night. All the Israelites complained about Moses and Aaron, and the whole community told them, ‘If only we had died in the land of Egypt, or if only we had died in this wilderness! Why is the Lord bringing us into this land to die by the sword? Our wives and little children will become plunder. Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?’ So they said to one another, ‘Let’s appoint a leader and go back to Egypt’ “ (Numbers 14:1-4).
Notice the question, “Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?” You may recall that this passage speaks to the time right after ten spies filed a very negative analysis of possessing Canaan, the Land of Promise. The people worked themselves into such a state of despair and discouragement that they demanded slavery as their “new vision.”
Discouragement is still a powerful tool of the “accuser,” today. For many years and during recent months we have seen situations all across this country that point to how divided and fractured our nation is. Nightly newscasts, internet blogs and opinions of “experts” all seem to point to a nation that is being ravaged by racial, economic and social class unrest and mistrust. The adversary is sowing the same mistrust, hatred and division, today, which is creating a spirit of discouragement and fear in the lives of those who claim to know and trust God.
We will not fall into a state of fear and distress. The question is how do we live above fear and distress. Here is Truth from God’s Word: Remember what God has promised.
Remember, when we experience hardship, it is part of the process, not a sign that God isn’t working on our behalf.
“We are experiencing trouble on every side, but are not crushed; we are perplexed, but not driven to despair; we are persecuted, but not abandoned; we are knocked down, but not destroyed, always carrying around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our body” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9).
Remember God will finish what He started. He doesn’t leave us behind. “I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6).
Bottom Line: Don’t despair, remember:
God’s love wants what is best for me;
God’s wisdom knows what is best for me; and
God’s power will accomplish what is best for me!