By W Bridge

The people of God have no true reason for discouragement, whatever the circumstances of life.

King David had as much cause and reason for discouragement as anybody else. He wrote, “all day long my enemies taunt me; those who rail against me use my name as a curse” (Psalm 102 v8). These enemies would ask him, “where is your God?”. His own heart also asked the same question in his moments of depression. Yet, like David, a godly person has no true Scriptural reason for discouragement.

Is there any way for Christians to have enough strength against discouragement?

My answer is that a grace-filled believer has their primary interest in the Lord only. The Psalmist clearly gives us light on this matter, stating that God is “my joy and my delight” (Psalm 43 v4). Satan may darken this light or joy for a while, but he can never put it out. All the saints of God are filled with this joy. We read in history that Roman Emperor Antoninus, a persecutor of Christians, and his army were surrounded by enemies but they had no water. So he commanded the Christians in his army to pray for rain. Immediately, it came, his army was saved and his enemies were defeated. He wrote a letter to the Roman Senate in favour of the Christians, commenting that, “they were a people who were content with God, whom they always carry about in their hearts.”

The people of God always get rest and comfort from Him who knows us and our human condition. The Bible reads, “I know your afflictions and your poverty — yet you are rich!”. “Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer” (Revelation 2 v 9-10). For the believer it is a great comfort that in whatever our circumstances our heavenly Father knows it, and He knows us in them.