Are you struggling with discouragement? It might be discouragement about what is going on in the world, in our nation, in your family, or in your personal life. In today’s reading, a man who knew God and understood His dealings with His people well still struggled with discouragement. What was God’s response to him and how does it apply to us?
Also, read about conditions in the last days and warnings about not turning to the world for answers to our problems.
Today’s Readings:
Jeremiah 45 & 46
Psalm 119.105-112
Proverbs 28.4
2 Timothy 3.1-17
When We Struggle with Discouragement
Jeremiah 45 & 46:
Baruch’s Struggle with Discouragement
Do you ever find yourself struggling with discouragement over what is going on in the world, your family, or your personal life?
In chapter 45, Baruch, Jeremiah’s scribe or secretary was depressed and discouraged because of all the disaster God was about to bring on his nation. Baruch who hung out with Jeremiah and knew what Jeremiah knew, still struggled with feelings of discouragement.
Just because we understand truths like Romans 8.28-29, 1 Corinthians 10.13, and other similar passages, doesn’t mean we enjoy the trial when it affects us! Perhaps, Baruch was asking “Why me? Why did I have to be born at this time in history? Why couldn’t God have sent me somewhere else until all this was over?” Perhaps, he was reminding God that he had served Him faithfully and didn’t deserve this.
God’s Response
First, the Lord gently rebuked him for his self-pity and then encouraged him with a promise.
‘And do you seek great things for yourself? Do not seek them; for behold, I will bring adversity on all flesh,’ says the LORD. ‘But I will give your life to you as a prize in all places, wherever you go.’ (v. 5).
God was encouraging him to not be focused on himself but to trust in His sovereign plan and His ability to use it for good and to trust in His divine oversight and protection.
When We Struggle with Discouragement
God is still speaking to and encouraging us today through His Word:
For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope (Rom. 15.4).
And the Bible is full of passages that can bring us great hope in our times of discouragement like the two I mentioned above.
1 Corinthians 10.13 promises that God will be faithful to set limits on any trial. If we keep our eyes on Him and respond His way, it won’t be greater than we can handle.
Romans 8.28-29 promises us that God can and will use every test, trial, and tragedy for our good to conform us to the image of His Son.
Other verses to study in those times of discouragement:
Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand (Is. 41.10).
Cast your burden on the Lord,
And He shall sustain you;
He shall never permit the righteous to be moved (Ps. 55.22).
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope (Jere. 29.11).
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest (Matt. 11.28).
And there are many others, including the story of Joseph and God’s work in his life (Gen. 37, 39-50).
Have a Plan to Meditate on Truth
As you read your Bible note those stories and passages that encourage your heart. Write them out in your journal or on 3 x 5 cards. Philippians 4.8-9 says:
8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
When you’re tempted to focus on those things that are discouraging, you’re tempted to ask “why me,” or to wonder why things aren’t going as you hoped, meditate on the truths of Scripture. Take any fearful, self-pitying thoughts captive (2 Cor. 10.3-5) and replace them with what God says is true, noble, pure, lovely, of good report, and praiseworthy.
Then ask for God’s help to walk in obedience.
Your feelings may not change immediately but if you consistently choose to focus on God and His Word, your faith and trust in Him will grow (Rom. 10.17) and you can rest assured that “the God of peace will be with you.”
To read more on this subject, you might check out this recent post:
“Do Wrong Thoughts Run Your Life?”
Heading for Egypt
In chapter 46 God turns to the nation as a whole. The people had fled to Egypt to escape the hardships at home. Remember they had gone there in defiance of a direct command from God. Not only had God commanded them not to go there, but He had also promised to take care of them if they stayed where they belonged!
While the book of Jeremiah was written to the nation of Israel, there are many principles that can be gleaned and have application to other nations and situations, including yours and mine.
In spite of what you hear on the news and in the classroom today, America was founded on godly principles. Many of our founders were believers and those who were not still lived by and understood the importance of godly principles. For two centuries God used us to spread the Gospel, protect the weak, and be a beacon of hope and rescue. Because of that, God blessed us with great resources, an abundance of ideas and creativity, and spiritual and physical protection.
But, as a whole, we have rejected the very God who blessed and protected us. We have loved our sin and hated the truth. We have rewritten history to suit our purposes and redefined right and wrong. In fact, we have called evil good and good evil. We have become tolerant of sin, murder, and idolatry; and intolerant of truth and righteousness. And when things turned out badly, like the Israelites, we have fled to Egypt.
Egypt, the World & Its Systems
Egypt represents the world and its systems. Too often we look to the world, to the government, and to man’s wisdom to care for us, feed us, protect us, and get us out of our messes. Sadly, that is a recipe for disaster.
Over and over again throughout the Bible, we are told to “stand still and see the salvation of God” (Ex. 14.13) and warned not to turn to Egypt. Isaiah 31.1:
1 Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help,
And rely on horses,
Who trust in chariots because they are many,
And in horsemen because they are very strong,
But who do not look to the Holy One of Israel,
Nor seek the LORD!
But, as a nation, we continue to look to Egypt for our rescue. Instead of turning to God in repentance, we demand to live free from any semblance of His rule in our lives. Should we be surprised if God continues to allow the just consequences of such rebellion? So, what should we do?
God Cares for His Own
We need to pray for our nation where ever we live and those in our families who have bought into the lie that hope is found in government or some other worldly source. But we also need to ask God to examine our hearts to be sure we not relying on things other than God Himself so we don’t head off to Egypt with everyone else.
We are not to rely on money or success. Neither should we rely on our education, physical health, or any other strength or blessing. We shouldn’t turn to food or substances or people in difficult times. Those things can be a blessing rightly understood and kept in their proper place. But ultimately, our trust and reliance must be found in God, His sovereign work in our lives, and His trustworthiness.
And finally, when anything that tempts us to worry or be discouraged, we need to focus on what God says is true and know that He always cares for His own (Is. 3.10).
Today’s Other Readings:
Psalm 119.105-112:
A Light to Our Path
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path (v. 105).
We should allow God’s Word to direct every area of our lives—not just how we conduct ourselves at church or around other believers—but in our homes, our workplaces, in the marketplace, and as citizens in our nation.
Proverbs 28.4:
Behind Enemy Lines
Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but such as keep the law contend with them.
Many of us talk a lot about what is going on in Washington and in politics today. We complain about the partisanship and the inability of our lawmakers to solve the nation’s problems. But what is our responsibility in it all?
Could it be that we have repeatedly chosen men and women who forsake God’s law, who approve of things like abortion and homosexuality? And who oppose everything God says is right?
Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God (Jas. 4.4).
Perhaps, we have willingly placed ourselves “behind enemy lines.” Should we really be surprised that we’re under fire? But for those who will stay faithful to God and His Word, who will humble themselves and pray, not give in or run to Egypt, God will show Himself faithful.
2 Timothy 3.1-17:
In the Last Days
This chapter begins with a long list describing conditions in the last days:
1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come.
2 For men will be lovers of themselves …
Men (and women) will be “lovers of themselves.” This certainly includes our generation with its focus on “self-esteem” and personal rights (especially the right to live without the restraint of God’s law).
Lovers of Money
It goes on, “lovers of money.”
Paul warned Timothy that the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil (1 Tim. 6.10). Notice he didn’t say money itself but the love of it. This is abundantly apparent in our world today.
No Fear of God
Next on the list is “blasphemers.” There is no longer any fear of God. Like the mob that cried out for Jesus’ death, mobs today rail against everything God says is true. They use His name in vain and deny His right to rule over them, even denying His very existence.
Disobedient to Parents
Next is “disobedient to parents.” This has got to be at an all-time high.
There is little respect for authority of any kind! Teachers are assaulted in their classrooms. Police are ambushed. And it’s open season on anyone with whom a person disagrees.
Even many of our leaders show gross disrespect toward us or toward other politicians when they believe doing so will gain them political advantage.
Unloving Lovers of Pleasure
… unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
Most of these speak for themselves. We are an unthankful, unloving, pleasure-driven society!
From Such People Turn Away
5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! 6 For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, 7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
“Having a form of godliness,” Many people attend church so they can check off their “God box,” and live like the world the rest of the week. Others, like some of our movie and TV personalities, are always promoting the latest spiritual guru.
“Those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women”—Sounds like TV to me (Oprah anyone)! “Always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth”—“from such people turn away!”
So, let’s be wise and discerning lest we follow those Paul warned about.
But this chapter also contains one of the most important passages for us to know and live by.
God’s Profitable Word
Unlike the thoughts and philosophies of sinful men and women:
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God. That is—it was breathed out by God. It is His infallible, inerrant perfect Word to and for His creation.
It is “profitable for doctrine.” Another translation says “teaching.” Scripture teaches us how to live. It is profitable for “reproof”—showing us when we are wrong. It also shows us how to get it right—“correction.” And how to live righteously as a lifestyle—“instruction in righteousness.” When we follow it we are “equipped for every good work”—including the problems and challenges with which we’re faced in our families, in our nation, and in our world.
Your Thoughts:
How has God spoken to you today? Perhaps you saw a passage in a new light or an area where you need to grow and change. Did you find a promise to hold on to? You can share your thoughts in the comments section below.
Coming Up:
In the next few days, we’ll talk about ways to make a difference in someone’s life, whether being good really matters, the basics of the Christian life, and more.
I hope you’ll sign up so you don’t miss any of them. You might also like to check out our new sister site Joyful Marriage Ministries. While you’re there, click the “events” tab for information on our upcoming events and ministries, like our Marriage ICU© for couples who are experiencing problems that require one-on-one help.
If this post spoke to you, I would so appreciate it if you would share it on your favorite social media platform.
And if you don’t already have a copy, you might want to purchase a copy of my eBook, 10 Benefits of Keeping a Spiritual Journal. It’s available on Kindle on in paperback. The paperback book has 31 days of blank journaling pages and prompts to help you get started.
Blessings as you grow in Christ,
Donna
Note about this post:
I began blogging through the Bible in 2012 and have done so every year since then. These posts are the product of many edits and additions throughout those years. Some days I make major changes, other days fewer.
A while ago, I read Jen Wilkin’s book None Like Him about the attributes of God. One is His incomprehensibility. In it, she says, “God is incomprehensible. This does not mean that he is unknowable, but that he is unable to be fully known.”
I have found that to be true each year as I’ve gone back through the Bible. Sometimes I find myself feeling as if a passage just appeared there for the first time. I’m reminded that no matter how many times we read through the Bible, we have only scratched the surface. I hope you feel the same.
Indeed these are the mere edges of His ways,
And how small a whisper we hear of Him!
But the thunder of His power who can understand?” (Job 26.14)
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