WHEN DISCOURAGEMENT COMES

                          2 CORINTHIANS 4:8-9                                     

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. WHO GETS DISCOURAGED?

1. Lost people get discouraged [Ephesians 2:12]

That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

2. God's people get discouraged [2 Thessalonians 2:2]

That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.

3. God's servants get discouraged (Elijah, Jonah, Jeremiah) Isaiah 37:3

And they said unto him, Thus saith Hezekiah, This day is a day of trouble, and of rebuke, and of blasphemy: for the children are come to the birth, and there is not strength to bring forth.

Perhaps the question would be better asked, "Who doesn't get discouraged?" Because all people get discouraged.

II. HOW DOES DISCOURAGEMENT COME?

1. It comes from others [Deuteronomy 1:28]

Whither shall we go up? our brethren have discouraged our heart, saying, The people is greater and taller than we; the cities are great and walled up to heaven; and moreover we have seen the sons of the Anakims there.

It may be the failure of others, or the influence of others, or any number of things through people!

2. It comes continuously [2 Cor. 4:8]

In our text when Paul says, "We are troubled on every side" he is referring to being thronged or crowded in by our troubles. The root word even has to do with a rut being worn in because it's the same thing over and over.

3. It comes confusingly [2 Cor. 4:8]

In our text when Paul says, "we are perplexed," it means to be at a loss mentally, unable to figure it out. We won't always know why!

4. It comes caustically "persecuted" [2 Cor. 4:9]

5. It comes powerfully "we are cast down" [2 Cor. 4:9]

6. It comes deservedly [Lamentations 1:18]

The LORD is righteous; for I have rebelled against his commandment: hear, I pray you, all people, and behold my sorrow:

7. It comes through circumstances [Numbers 21:4]

And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way.

The difficulties may be financial, physical, mental, occupationally, through family troubles, etc.

III. WHAT CAN WE DO IN THE HOUR OF DISCOURAGEMENT?

Many turn back. The Bible says in Psalm 78:9 The children of Ephraim, being armed, and carrying bows, turned back in the day of battle. Don't turn back. Come back.

1. COME BACK TO GOD [Isaiah 44:22]

I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.

1 Samuel 30:6 And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.

James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

Mark 11:22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.

2. COME BACK TO CHRIST [John 14:1]

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

3. COME BACK TO THE WORD OF GOD [Matthew 7:24-25, 2 Cor. 4:8-9]

Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

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Yes "We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed;" Our troubles may come at us from all directions, but we cannot be hemmed in... we are free in Christ!

Yes, "we are perplexed, but not in despair" We may not know what to do but we know He knows what to do! We may not even know how to pray but "...the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. " Rm. 8:26-28

Yes, we may be "Persecuted, but not forsaken;" We are not left behind in a bad place. He is with us! Hebrews 13:5 "... for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."

Yes, praise God, we may be "cast down, but not destroyed;" Someone said, "knocked down but not knocked out!" When God is on your side no-one can destroy you!

Matthew 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

We may even deserve it. But I Jn. 1:9 is still in the Book! "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."