What are the right response to discouragement? We find two of them in Isaiah chapter 27:
He consulted the right people.
“And it came to pass, when king Hezekiah heard it, that he rent his clothes, and covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of the Lord. And he sent Eliakim, who was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and the elders of the priests covered with sackcloth, unto Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz. 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. It may be the Lord thy God will hear the words of Rabshakeh, whom the king of Assyria his master hath sent to reproach the living God, and will reprove the words which the Lord thy God hath heard: wherefore lift up thy prayer for the remnant that is left. So the servants of king Hezekiah came to Isaiah.
And Isaiah said unto them, Thus shall ye say unto your master, Thus saith the Lord, Be not afraid of the words that thou hast heard, wherewith the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed me. Behold, I will send a blast upon him, and he shall hear a rumour, and return to his own land; and I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land.” Isaiah 37:1-7
We go to people we trust. Fellow Christians, pastors, mentors, classmates and friends. Those people are willing to listen to our discouragement, give advice, encourage us and lift us up in prayer. Are you discourage? Then do what King Hezekiah did. Find refuge to the right people.
Hezekiah consulted the matter to God.
After going to the right people, King Hezekiah went to the temple and poured his hearts out. We ask Christians should have this kind of response. We should go to the one who is sovereign and mighty.
“And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it: and Hezekiah went up unto the house of the Lord, and spread it before the Lord. And Hezekiah prayed unto the Lord, saying, O Lord of hosts, God of Israel, that dwellest between the cherubims, thou art the God, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth: thou hast made heaven and earth. Incline thine ear, O Lord, and hear; open thine eyes, O Lord, and see: and hear all the words of Sennacherib, which hath sent to reproach the living God. Of a truth, Lord, the kings of Assyria have laid waste all the nations, and their countries, And have cast their gods into the fire: for they were no gods, but the work of men’s hands, wood and stone: therefore they have destroyed them. Now therefore, O Lord our God, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou art the Lord, even thou only.”Isaiah 37:14-20
Hezekiah acknowledge the sovereignity of God and ask for God’s action. In times of discouragment, have we come to God for His wise counsel? We are limited, God is not. Search the Scriptures to find comfort. Pray to God and ask Him to make you more dependent to Him. If its concerning His children welfare, God will make a move for His glory and our victory.
Next week we will conclude our study on Discouragement.
(To be continued next week…)
Delighting Grace 