DISCOURAGEMENT
Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. (2 Corinthians 1:3&4)
Discouragement is a part of life; many of the most faithful saints have felt that empty feeling. And if you continue on this battered sphere, dwelling in crumbling clay, while living on a cursed and sinful planet, you will also.
1 Kings 19:4 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.
Jonah 4:8 And it came to pass, when the sun did arise, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat upon the head of Jonah, that he fainted, and wished in himself to die, and said, [It is] better for me to die than to live.
Luke 7:20 When the men were come unto him, they said, John the Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?
Job 7:19 How long wilt thou not depart from me, nor let me alone till I swallow down my spittle?
This year is about over, and I am sure some of you have tasted discouragement and heartache. If you have not there is always next year.
But some may say that easy for me to say and I have not been though the heartache you have been. This may be true.
But I have been to the funeral of a lost mother, the funeral of father and a brother whose life’s was shorten due to drugs and booze. I have held a seven-month-old dead daughter in my arms after yelling at the physicians that surely they could do something. And this year found my pride and joy a sixteen year old son dead due to a gunshot wound to the head with his brains spattered all over a shed. (That image is still fresh in my mind) And of course there are events of a personal nature, while dealing with the world, the flesh and the devil.
Have I been discouraged, depressed, sorrowful and bitter? Yes.
But after the initial shock and many onslaughts of grief have passed, I asked myself what would I do if I did not have Jesus, my Rock to stand on with my feeble legs and swirling mind. Answer, I would go insane or try to drown myself with booze, drugs or some form of sugar pill deception that this world offers.
And yet, there are saints that have been through far worse then I.
But the most horrible, tragic situation that ever could be is the cold hard fact that there are innumerable souls, headed for a Devil’s hell, which have suffered far, far worse than anyone you know.
They have no comfort in this life or the next.
Our sufferings have a purpose.
2 Cor 1:4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
(Gal. 6:2) Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
Rom. 12:15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
Job 26:2-3 How hast thou helped [him that is] without power? [how] savest thou the arm [that hath] no strength? (3) How hast thou counselled [him that hath] no wisdom? and [how] hast thou plentifully declared the thing as it is?
It behooved the Saviour to taste many of our afflictions so we can identify with him. Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as [we are, yet] without sin.
OUR ROCK IS OUR ONLY SURE HAVEN IN THE STORMS OF LIFE.
The Rock
Before a Seraphim flew or a cherub was around the throne
Eternal love was shared by the Father and Him alone
This is the unhewn Rock undefiled by mortal man
The Smiting Stone of all ages the Rock on which I stand
Ere Creation’s beginning he could see the end
No abode of mortal clay could ever comprehend
This is the Rock and High Tower that David’s tongue did sing
The Great I Am and Buckler and the King of Kings
He is the everlasting Fortress to pilgrims along the way
The Shepherd to his sheep he loses not a stray
And when life’s stormy blast tatter this little sail
He can walk upon the water and rebuke the fearful gale
And when my knees do tremble and floods do fill the eye
He can wipe away the tears with hands crucified
Someday I will see the Rock and fall down on my face
And praise him for eternity for his loving grace.
Wm. West