DISCOURAGEMENT.

We have recently been impressed by the frequency with which God calls upon His people to "be strong and of a good courage" (Deu 31:6-7, 23; Jos 1:6, 9, 18). Time after time, we find the Lord, either actually or substantially, exhorting His people thus. The implications are clear: that they are prone to give way to discouragement, that such a condition is a mark of weakness, and that a dispirited saint is dishonoring to the Lord. In this and the companion article, we propose to examine:
the character or nature of discouragement,
its causes or the roots from which it proceeds,
its correctives or how it should be opposed,
and its cure or remedy.

Much light is thrown upon this subject by a careful pondering of the first passage in holy Writ wherein the term occurs, namely, when we read of the children of Israel in the wilderness that "the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way" (Num 21:4). Alas, how like unto them are many of the saints today! The Lord had wrought wondrously for Israel in bringing them out of Egypt and by destroying their foes at the Red Sea; and evidently, they expected a much quicker and easier journey into Canaan than what they actually experienced; and because their expectations were not realized—they became despondent!

The immediate context informs us that king Arad had opposed their progress and had taken some of them prisoners. Whereupon Israel vowed that if the Lord would deliver that nation into their hand, they would utterly destroy their cities. The Lord graciously did so, and they fulfilled their pledge. So far, so good. But then came a further testing: instead of their being led onward to the promised land—which involved their passing through the territory of another hostile people—they were conducted "from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass [that is 'go around'] the land of Edom," and that greatly disheartened them. It seemed a retrograde course which entailed a return to the desert, where water was scarce—and their reaction thereto was one of dejection and discouragement.

To become discouraged is natural, yet it is neither glorifying to God, useful to ourselves, nor helpful to our brethren. It was not so in the above instance. The immediate sequel is most solemn, for the very next thing recorded is "They spoke against God and against Moses, and said: Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the desert? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!" (Num 21:5). And that, my reader, is written for our instruction and warning, for us to take heart and recognize the dangers attending a spirit of discouragement! It is but a very short step from discouragement to open murmuring against God! That one consideration should be sufficient to convince us that so far from a state of discouragement being an innocent infirmity which we may fairly excuse, it is an insidious sin of which we need to make conscience and against which we should pray earnestly. The Lord at once manifested His displeasure against Israel by sending fiery serpents among the people—so that many of them died.

It is not a weakness to be excused—but a fault to be confessed. While it is true on the one hand that circumstances alter cases, and therefore sweeping generalizations and condemnations are to be avoided; yet on the other hand, we must never condone anything which is wrong in the sight of God; and if we are guided by the light of His Word thereon, then it is clear that a state of discouragement is sinful.

When David was dejected, he did not resort to self-pity or regard it as something which was inevitable—but betook himself to task for the same: "Why are you cast down, O my soul?" (Psalm 42:5). Why this faithless fainting, this childish fretfulness? He chided himself for the same, and it is striking to note that twice more (Psalm 43:5; 42:5,11) he refused to yield to this spirit of gloom, and inquired into the cause of it. If at first he succeeded not in casting it off, he tried and tried again.

Some are likely to object, "It is natural to become discouraged: there are occasions when the strongest cannot prevent their hearts from being cast down. There is much in this world which has a depressing influence upon the Christian. There is not a little in his own experience which depresses him; while the response he meets with from others in return for his best-meant efforts often throws a dampener upon him." But the very fact that such a spirit is "natural" at once exposes its evil character—it is not spiritual! It is a thing of the flesh, and not a product of the workings of grace within us; and therefore, it is to be reprobated and not palliated. However melancholy may be our temperament, low our natural spirits, poor our health, or distressing our circumstances—it is wrong to yield to spirit of defeat, for the soul to become cast down, and unfitted for the cheerful discharge of our duties and the enjoyment of our privileges.

Of our sinless Savior, it was prophesied that, despite all the opposition and trials He would encounter, "He shall not fail nor be discouraged" (Isaiah 42:4). It is because we fail, that we become discouraged—a further proof that it is a sin to be mortified and not excused.

What are the more immediate CAUSES of faint-heartedness?

1. Distrust of God. Is not that plainly intimated by the words of David when he was chiding himself for his soul being cast down: "Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God" (Psalm 42:11). It was because he had allowed the difficulties of the way to take his eyes off the Lord that he had become dispirited.

Was it not also the case with Israel in the above incident? When the Lord turned their course from a direct approach unto Canaan and led them back into the borders of the desert, they were "much discouraged." They doubted God's goodness unto them—and questioned the wisdom of His guidance. And do not the subtle operations of unbelief lie behind our discouragements? Are they not due to a lack of faith that the very objects which dismay us are among the "all things" God has promised He will work together for good! If we concentrate our attention on the seen things, rather than on the unseen—we soon weaken and pine.

2. Discontent with God's provision. When faith in God's goodness and wisdom ceases to operate, then dissatisfaction takes possession of the heart.Unbelief breeds fretfulness with our lot and circumstances, and prevents our enjoying the portion God has given us. Discouragement, when analyzed, is being displeased with the place or portion God has assigned us. It was so with Israel. They did not relish the fare which He had so graciously given them. "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water" was the language of peevishness. The real reason for their disaffection was expressed in "We detest this miserable food!" (Num 21:5). Sad condition of soul was that! They were "much discouraged because of the way," because the day and fare of the wilderness ministered not unto their carnal lusts.

3. Self-will. That is the root both of our distrust of God and our discontent with His provision. Discouragement is nothing less than a rebelling against the sovereign dispensations of God! It was so with Israel. They were chagrined because things were not going as they wanted. They desired to press forward in a direct course unto Canaan; and since the Lord determined otherwise, they were cast down—much like spoilt children who are allowed to have their own way, and murmur and sulk if they be denied anything.

And is it not thus, at times, with many of God's children? Most of our discouragements are due to the dashing of our hopes, disappointments in either things or persons from whom we looked for something better. But disappointment is really a quarreling with God's appointment. It is lack of submission unto God. Discouragements issue from our longings remaining unrealized—from our plans being thwarted, our wills being crossed: it is nothing but vexation of spirit and insubordination to the divine will.

Next Part DISCOURAGEMENT. 2

Back to Arthur Pink