Dealing With Discouragement
Matthew 11:2-3 Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples and said unto Him, ‘Art Thou He that should come, or do we look for another?
Read Matthew 11:1-11.
Faithfulness to the Lord Jesus Christ doesn’t always mean you’re going to be a great success—as the world knows success. Jesus said there was none greater born of women than John the Baptist. He called him a burning and shining light. Yet our Lord allowed John to finish his life in a prison cell and to die by an executioner’s ax. Why does God allow these things? Well, I don’t know. I only know that God does right. He never makes a mistake. His purposes are perfect and His timing is exquisitely beautiful. You can count on your blessed Lord. John was great. Herod was weak. Herodias was filled with hatred. The combination cost John his life and Herod his soul (and Herodias with him).
Have you ever gotten discouraged? John did. He had preached to great crowds, then saw the crowds diminish. But that didn’t shake him. He responded: ‘Christ must increase, but I must decrease.’ Now John has told the truth to Herod: ‘You’re living in sin. You have no right to live with another man’s wife.’ And as a result, John is in jail, thinking: I wonder, oh, I wonder. Is Jesus really the Messiah? If He were, would He let me rot in jail? Discouragement comes to us all. What’s the answer to it? Jesus said, ‘Go tell John what you see and hear. Does He heal? Yes. Tell John that.’
Small thought here. The answer to discouragement is found by asking: ‘What is God doing?’ And when you see that—when you see what God is doing in your life—you will find discouragement vanishing and the light and joy of God’s assurance coming into your heart. Hallelujah for that!
This devotional was written by Dr. Robert A. Cook. You can subscribe to his free email articles at Walk With The King Today and listen to his Spirit-filled 15-minute messages. Used with written permission.
