As readers of the Bible, we all have our favorite verses. Sometimes, they are verses we go to when we are sad or need comfort. At other times, we have verses we read because we are happy and appreciate God's Word. There are also verses we open our Bibles to read when we are discouraged. These are the verses we want to dwell on tonight.
It has been said that the most valuable tool that the devil has is Discouragement. We may be able to combat the one who says there is no God (Psalms 14:1-4; 53:1-6), or can handle those who say that we need 'another' book in addition to the Bible (Galatians 1:1-9; 2 Timothy 3:16, 17), and we may understand that God's Word is powerful and is able to convert even the hardhearted (Hebrews 4:12; Psalm 19:7-10). Yet, when it comes to the day-to-day discouragements that we meet along our journey, we sometimes flounder and flail. How do we keep ourselves from being discouraged?
First, we know that hearing God's Word produces faith (Romans 10:17). Do we want our faith to grow stronger? Then we must read the Bible, not only for the enjoyment of reading, but also studying it diligently. The closer we grow to God's Word, the stronger our faith will be and more confident we will become, handling the Bible. We must cling to the Bible for encouragement!
Then, we are not satisfied in hearing the Word only; we must 'do' the Word (James 1:21-25). We must be busy about our Father's business, as Jesus was in Luke 2:49. Realizing that teaching the Bible is not a game or something to fill our 'extra' time, we understand other people's souls rely on our teaching them God's Word (Ezekiel 3:18-21). Our success as a servant of God does not depend on how many we convert, but only if we tell others about God's Will.
We must be determined not to grow weary in well doing as it says in Galatians 6:10. We know that we shall reap if we faint not. We must keep on keeping on!