Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (Ephesians 6:17 NIV)
This week I want to talk about encouraging the "discouraged mind." Remember, "The focus of the mind must always be God and his Word. Paul said, Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Philippians 4:8 NIV)"
I have written previously about the need to be steadfast in God. There are times when the believer will grow weary in God and be tempted to quit. During those times determine to hold fast. Paul said, Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (Galatians 6:9 NIV) Never, ever give up.
Believers should always look for opportunities to encourage the weary brother or sister in Christ. That is a ministry everyone should seek to practice daily.
But, what should we do when there is no one to encourage us? To give up is not an option, so we should emulate the example of King David when he encountered a difficult situation recorded in I Samuel 30. David and his army of 600 men were at war. Their wives and children were left at Ziklag as they went out to battle. They returned to Ziklag and found that the Amalekites had raided the city and destroyed it with fire. The Amalekites took the wives and children captive. David was greatly distressed because his men talked of stoning him. But, David found strength, or he encouraged himself in the Lord. (See I Samuel 30:8) There was no one to encourage David in his distress, so David wisely turned to God, who is always there to encourage. That should be the response of every believer whose mind has become weary and discouraged. You must turn to the Lord and seek him because he is faithful.
As a believer, you are always responsible for your encouragement in God. Yes, the church should be there for you. But, if they are not, you cannot use that as an excuse to quit. You must press into God because he is always available. The Psalmist said, God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. (Psalm 46:1 NIV)
After David found encouragement in God, he acted wisely and sought divine guidance. God spoke to David to pursue the Amalekites and overtake them. God promised him success in the rescue. He pursued the Amalekites and fought them and took back everything they stole. He recovered all and also plundered the Amalekites.
What would have happened if David had not encouraged himself in the Lord? He and his men would have lost their families and possessions.
At a later time Ahab became king over Israel. (See I Kings 17-19) He was a very wicked king. God sent the prophet Elijah to tell King Ahab that there would be no rain in the land until Elijah said so.
God sent Elijah to a place of safety. God commanded the ravens to feed Elijah. Every morning and every evening the ravens brought bread and meat to Elijah. There was a brook, which provided water for Elijah. As the famine worsens, the brook dries up, but the provision of God for Elijah does not dry up. God chooses to use another method.
God sent Elijah to a widow in Zaraphath. God told Elijah that he has commanded the widow to feed him. When Elijah arrived in Zaraphath, he sees the widow and asks her for water. He also asks for bread. The widow tells him that she only has enough flour and oil left to make some food for her and for her son before they die. But, Elijah tells her to first make a small cake of bread for him, and then make some for herself and her son. Elijah proclaims to her that her flour and her oil will not run out as long as the famine lasts in Israel. She obeys and they continued to have provision every day during the famine.
Then, the widow’s son dies, and she is distraught wondering why Elijah brings this trouble on her. Elijah took the boy to his room and prayed and God heard his cry. God restored the life of the young boy.
Elijah is walking continuously in the miraculous power of God. The famine is in place because of his words. The ravens fed him twice a day. Then, the widow’s flour and oil continue to multiply day after day, and finally, Elijah raises the widow’s son from the dead. But, the greatest miracle is just ahead for Elijah.
Elijah calls for the 400 prophets of Baal and the 450 prophets of Asherah, who ate at Jezebel’s table to meet him on Mount Carmel. Then, he issued a challenge to them. He said that they should prepare a bull for sacrifice, and he would prepare a bull for sacrifice. Then each would call on their God. The God who answered by fire would prove to be the true God.
The false prophets prepared their sacrifice. Then, they began to call on their gods. They called all morning on their gods. About noon, Elijah began to taunt them. They continued crying out until the time of the evening sacrifice. They slashed themselves with swords and spears until blood flowed, but the demonic powers behind their false Gods were not strong enough to answer by fire.
After the false prophets tried and failed, Elijah prepared his sacrifice. He rebuilt the altar of the Lord. He commanded that the sacrifice and the wood be drenched with water. Then Elijah prayed a brief prayer to his God, who promptly answered with fire which consumed the sacrifice, the wood, and the water. Elijah ordered the execution of the 850 false prophets and the people helped him.
Now it was time for the rain. Elijah heard the sound of the rain. He began to pray for the rain, and soon a heavy rain fell. The power of the Lord came upon Elijah, which enabled him to run ahead of Ahab’s chariot and to reach Jezreel before Ahab.
Elijah had been an instrument for miracle after miracle. But as soon as Jezebel sent a threat to him, he was consumed with fear, and he ran for his life. After traveling a day, he sat down under a tree and told God that he was ready to die. Discouragement consumed his mind. In the midst of this discouragement, Elijah cried out to God. Elijah fell asleep under the tree and an angel awakened him and fed him. Elijah then traveled forty days and forty nights to Horeb the mountain of God. In the midst of his discouragement, Elijah set his face to travel to the mountain of God. There he heard once again from God and received direction for the future.
Discouragement comes to every believer, even the greatest of the servants of God. Rejoice, when the body of Christ responds and ministers encouragment to you. Whether the body responds or not, there is still only one appropriate response for the discouraged believer. He must seek God.
Don’t allow yourself to become disillusioned by discouragement. Don’t become bitter. Don’t give up and walk away from God. Set your face to seek God even in the midst of your discouragement. He is still an ever-present help in trouble.
Wayne L. Williams
wayne@fotwm.org
Wisdom From the Word
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