Listen to The Deep End on Spotify. Single 2010 1 songs. The Deep End - The Crossing Church - CA. Weekend Service: 10-28-18 October 28, 2018. Andrew Brownback. Pastor Andrew Brownback talks about how the story of Jonah gives a glimpse into not only God's sense of humor but his deep love for us all.
When You Come to The End of Yourself!
By David Wilkerson
December 28, 1998
__________
As we read the words of David in Psalm 38, we find this godly, righteous manat the end of himself. He was downcast and discouraged, and his struggle haddrained him of all strength. Listen to his distraught cry:
I am troubled; I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day longI amfeeble and sore broken: I have roared by reason of the disquietness of myheartMy heart panteth, my strength faileth me: as for the light of mineeyes, it also is gone from meI, as a deaf man, heard not; and I was as adumb man that openeth not his mouth. Thus I was as a man that heareth not,and in whose mouth are no reproofs (Psalm 38:6, 8, 10, 13-14).
As I read this psalm, I imagine David slumped in despair. Perhaps whattroubled him most was that he couldnt understand why he was suddenly castdown so low. This man hungered for the Lord, pouring out his heart daily inprayer. He revered Gods word, writing psalms that extolled his glory. Butnow, in his depressed state, all he could do was cry, Lord, Im at the endof my rope. And I have no idea why its happening!
Like many discouraged Christians today, David tried to figure out why hefelt so empty and broken in spirit. He probably relived every failure, sinand foolish deed in his life. At some point he must have thought, Oh, Lord,have all my reckless acts left me so wounded that Im beyond hope?
Finally, David reasoned that God must have been chastening him. He cried, OLord, rebuke me not in thy wrath: neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.For thine arrows stick fast in me, and thy hand presseth me sore. There isno soundness in my flesh because of thine anger; neither is there any restin my bones because of my sin. For mine iniquities are gone over my head: asan heavy burden they are too heavy for me (verses 1-4).
Let me point out here that David isnt just writing about his own conditionin this psalm. Hes describing something that all devoted lovers of Jesusface at some point in their lifetime. Hes talking about being under ademonic attack from a plaguing spirit of discouragement!
This kind of discouraging spirit comes straight from the bowels of hell. Andthe time comes when every dedicated believer is overwhelmed by this suddenand unexpected experience. No Christian brings it on himself, nor does theLord send it. Such an attack usually has nothing to do with any specific sinor failing by the believer.
Very simply, the spirit of discouragement is Satans most potent weaponagainst Gods elect. Most often, he uses it to try to convince us wevebrought Gods wrath upon ourselves by not measuring up to his holystandards. But the apostle Paul urges us not fall prey to the devils snare:Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of hisdevices (2 Corinthians 2:11).
Paul is saying, You have to see your discouragement for what it really is!Its a demonic weapon an arrow that Satan shoots at you from his quiver toget you to doubt yourself. He knows he cant tempt you to turn away fromJesus. So he swamps you with vicious lies to make you think youll never begood enough to serve Christ. He wants to get you so downcast that youllwant to throw in the towel!
Ask Yourself If Davids Heart-Cry
Is Your Own Cry
Whenever Youre Overwhelmed
by the Spirit of Discouragement.
Feebleness, soreness, brokenness, troubles, disquietness, mourning all ofthese things bowed Davids spirit low. He felt dry and empty, withoutdirection, as if hed learned nothing over the years. as for the light ofmine eyes, it also is gone from me (Psalm 38:10). David is saying, Ivelost my spiritual understanding. My vision and revelation of the Lord haveleft me. I cant reach God as I used to!
I know just how David felt. Ive led evangelistic crusades in whichthousands at a time have come to Christ. And Ive helped lead multitudes ofdrug addicts and alcoholics to deliverance in Jesus. My life has been fullof such rich blessings. But often, within days of these events, I becameoverwhelmed with discouragement. I ended up thinking, Lord, my life hasbeen a complete waste. I havent accomplished anything for you!
Thats the work of Satans spirit of discouragement. It makes us a targetfor the powers of hell within moments of our greatest spiritual victory!
This heavy, demonic spirit laid David so low, he was dumbfounded in Godspresence. He said, But I, as a deaf man, heard not; and I was as a dumb manthat openeth not his mouth. Thus I was as a man that heareth not, and inwhose mouth are no reproofs (verses 13-14).
The Hebrew meaning of this last phrase is a man who has no more answers orarguments left. David was saying, Lord, Im too down and discouraged toeven lift my hand up to you. I cant pray, because Im too confused tospeak. Im drained and empty. I have nothing to say.
Davids trial was not at all unique. Ive read many biographies of devoutmen and women whom the Lord used mightily, and every one of these peoplestruggled through the same kind of crippling discouragement.
The great British preacher C.H. Spurgeon led multitudes to Christ throughhis powerful sermons. But he suffered awful bouts with melancholy. He oftenfelt as if hed accomplished nothing in his life. He once lamented, Ivegot the blackest heart in Britain. Frequently he would go into his garden,raise his hands to God and cry, Lord, Ive never desired you more, yet myspirit has never been so low. Why is this happening?
David voiced the universal cry of the righteous soul that endures an attackof discouragement: I am ready to halt, and my sorrow is continually beforeme (verse 17). The word halt here in Hebrew means fall. David wastelling God, Im not going to make it, Lord. Im at my absolute end and Im about to fall!
God Will Always Be Tender With Us
in Our Helpless Condition
But We Are Never to Allow Unbelief
to Settle in Our Hearts!
We can talk to God all we want about our feelings of failure. We can tellhim about our despair over our sins and foolish mistakes. But we are neverto entertain the thought that he has abandoned us. This is a seriousaccusation, and our Lord doesnt take it lightly. We see his immediateresponse to this kind of accusation in Numbers:
(Israel) journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red Seaand the soul ofthe people was much discouraged because of the way. And the people spakeagainst God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egyptto die in the wilderness? For there is no bread, neither is there any water;and our soul loatheth this light bread; and the Lord sent fiery serpentsamong the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died(Numbers 21:4-6).
When the Bible tells me my loving heavenly father sent fiery serpents uponhis own people, and that they died from the snake bites, I cant ignore thevery clear message: God will not allow such unbelief among his elect! Afterall that our precious Lord has done for us, the most hurtful accusation wecan make against him is that he has neglected us. We are to beware of suchunbelief, especially in our difficult times.
David is our example of someone who kept his faith. Even at his lowestpoint, David wouldnt allow himself to wallow in unbelief. He cried, For inthee, O Lord, do I hope: thou wilt hear, O Lord my God (Psalm 38:15).
55: The Deep Endoplasmic
If youre enduring an attack from a demonic spirit of discouragement, Isuggest you do these three things:
1. Do Not Try to Maneuver
Your Way Out of It.
Dont try to escape the attack through your own wits. Youre no match forthe demonic spirit youre up against. The battle is far beyond your humanskill or physical power to wage. Nor can you merely talk it out withfriends, or try to overcome it through books, seminars or counselors. Theconflict is in the spiritual realm, and it has to be fought in the spirit.
In his time of discouragement, David couldnt figure out why he was so castdown. He asked, Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thoudisquieted in me? (Psalm 42:5). Yet his questions werent doubts aboutGod. David actually begins the psalm by expressing his deep thirst for theLord: As the hart [deer] panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soulafter thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shallI come and appear before God? (verses 1-2).
In the midst of his discouragement, David cried out for a revelation of theLord. He was saying, God, theres never been a time when Ive loved youmore. I thirst for you like the running deer who pants for water. So why amI so cast down? Why am I suffering such overwhelming discouragement?
Of course, at times David experienced despair and depression because of hissin. He endured the Lords chastening for his pride when he numbered hisfighting men, which was against Gods law. And he felt the pain of Gods rodwhen he committed adultery with Bathsheba and arranged to have her husbandmurdered. His heart broke with dejection over the judgment he brought on hisfamily because of these sins.
So, too, many believers today are discouraged because of their sins. Someare depressed because the Holy Spirit has wanted to bring them into victory,but they resist. Theyve chosen the way of the flesh, and that always leadsto pain and discouragement.
However, Im addressing repentant believers here those who seek God withall their hearts. These faithful servants are gripped by a different kind ofdiscouragement. This kind comes upon them suddenly, out of nowhere, for noapparent reason. And it totally dumbfounds them.
If this is true of you, you can be absolutely sure you are under attack.Satan has sent a cloud of discouragement to overwhelm you. And he has hisreasons for doing so!
You see, discouragement is the devils most devastating tool in his attackson Spirit-hungry saints. It has been the enemys weapon of choice forcenturies against Gods elect. And from the day you became serious about thethings of God determining in your heart to know Christ in his fullness Satan has sought to discourage you. He has watched you dig deeper into Godsword every day. He has seen you changing, growing, overcoming allworldliness. So he has made you a target for heavy attack. And youd betterbelieve that attack will come!
Right now you may be able to praise God loudly in church, saying, This isthe greatest day of joy Ive ever had! But watch out for what comestomorrow. Satan will use his most powerful weapon discouragement to tryto bring you down.
However, when the attack comes, dont think its unusual. God allows thiskind of fiery testing with all his saints. Peter writes, Beloved, think itnot strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though somestrange thing happened unto you (1 Peter 4:12). Discouragement is a trialGods people have endured for centuries!
2. Go to Prayer,
Giving the Holy Spirit
Time to Do His Work!
55: The Deep Ending
When youre under attack from the enemys spirit of discouragement, you wont feel like praying. But you must still go to the secret place and be inJesus presence. You dont need to worry about trying to pray your way outof despair. This is the time for Gods Spirit to go to work in you. Its hisjob to lift you out of the pit.
When you go to the Lord, be honest with him. Tell him how weak and helplessyou feel. Let him know, Jesus, Im dry. I have no strength left. If Imever going to get out of this depression, youre going to have to make ithappen.
In such low times, the Lord is very patient with us. He doesnt expect us toexert some intense, fervent effort in prayer. He knows our condition, and hesympathizes with us. So, just sit in his presence and trust his Spirit to doin you what he has been sent to do. It doesnt matter how cast down youare he will never forsake you!
We have the notion that every time we fail the Lord, the Holy Ghost flitsaway like a bird. Some Puritan divines taught this. They believed that GodsSpirit leaves Christians for a season whenever hes grieved with them.
I could never understand or accept this doctrine. How could Gods Spiritabandon me when I need him most? If he leaves me whenever I fail and falldeep into discouragement, how could he be my comforter? That wouldntprovide any comfort at all. In fact, it would leave me in Satans power!
Likewise, if the Holy Ghost is my souls sanctifier, how could he do thiswork if he flies in and out of my life every time I fail? How could I eversee my sin without the Spirits presence there to convict me of it? Howcould I know how to change if he wasnt there to guide and direct me?
Jesus promised us, I will pray the Father, and he shall give you anotherComforter, that he may abide with you for everI will not leave youcomfortless: I will come to you (John 14:16, 18).
When the devils heavy spirit of discouragement settles over your life, youmay be so distraught you cant even whisper a prayer. But even if you cantutter a word, you can talk to Jesus in your spirit. Just tell him softly,Lord, help me. This attack is too much for me. I cant do anything but sithere in faith. Im trusting your Spirit to drive it out of me.
The First Thing the Spirit
Will Do When He Comes Is
Expose All of Satans Lies!
The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in myname, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to yourremembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you (John 14:26).
I remember experiencing a particularly heavy attack of discouragement at acertain point in my life. It happened when I was as close to Jesus as at anyother time. I was diligent about my prayer life, pouring my heart out dailyto the Lord. And I spent hours searching his word, devouring bothTestaments. I enjoyed sweet communion with the Lord and saw many of myprayers answered. As far as I knew, I was in Gods perfect will, doingeverything he told me.
But one morning, as I was preparing a message for the following weekssermon, something hit me. I was overcome by an intense despair. It came outof nowhere, weighing me down heavily. And it happened for no apparentreason.
No matter how hard I tried, I couldnt shake it. As I sat at my desk with myBible open, I tried to continue working on the sermon. But I couldnt getanywhere. Suddenly I was bombarded with doubts about my ability to puttogether a true message from the Lord. My mind was flooded with horriblethoughts that told me, You dont understand Pauls writings. You haventgrasped the old man and new man concepts. You dont comprehend dying tosin when sin still exists. How dare you presume to preach Gods holy word?
I sat there for three hours, determined to dig out a message. But nothingever came. By mid-morning, all the words on the pages of my Bible seemed torun together. My mind was confused, and my spirit was dull, unable to hearanything from the Lord.
I sank deeper into despair, thinking, Im totally ignorant of Gods word.Yet I keep churning out sermon after sermon, week after week. Im not reallyserving anybody. After all these years, I still dont understand the Bible.My light has gone out!
I was convinced I had nothing to give the people in our church. So I closedthe Bible and left my study.
As I walked around the house, my discouragement only grew. I tried to figureout why it had come upon me in the first place, but I didnt have a clue. Ididnt have any financial troubles. I had no family crisis. I felt greatphysically. And I had no known sin. I didnt have a single reason to feelthe way I did.
Finally, I went into my prayer room and sat on the floor. I couldnt evenmuster up a word to say to the Lord. Instead, I cried out to him from myspirit: Lord, I dont know what to do. I feel so down I cant even reachout to you. Yet I know Ive never loved you more than right now. Why is thishappening? Please, God help me.
When the devil comes with his spirit of discouragement, he bombards you withone lie after another. He lies to you about your marriage, your family, yourfriendships, your calling, your walk with the Lord. Then he begins to replayin your mind every sin, failure and foolish thing youve ever done. By thetime hes finished, youre crying, Oh, God Ill never make it!
This is just what the devil did to me. While in prayer, I endured hisbombardment of hellish lies for about half an hour. Thats when Gods still,small voice broke through to my spirit. He spoke to me words full of loveand compassion: David, youre greatly loved. Dont worry my hand is uponyou. Youre under severe attack, but you dont have to fear. You dont needany strength of your own for this battle. I have everything you need.
The first thing the Holy Spirit does in such times is to bring to yourremembrance all the precious promises of Jesus. And so he did with me. Heflooded my soul with dozens of promises I knew from Gods word. And heassured me, Your life isnt over. You dont know it, but you havent evenstarted yet. The best is still ahead of you.
My spirit soared within me. As I stood to my feet I thought, Why did I everput up with any of this discouragement? Its not from my Lord!
That is the work of the Holy Spirit. He undoes the lies of the enemy andbrings encouragement from on high!
Dare to Believe
the Incredibly Good Things
the Holy Spirit Is Going to Tell You!
Multitudes of Christians enter Gods presence every day expecting to bereproved by him. How that must grieve our Lord. When we go to prayer, weought to be prepared to hear a good word from our loving father. But manybelievers rarely are. I lived that way for years. Every time I entered myprayer closet, I expected to hear a rebuke from the Lord. Thank God, he hastaught me a better way.
On the other hand, there are entire denominations that avoid any mention ofholy reproof. They say very little about sin because they want to preachonly positive, upbeat messages. In the process, they ignore all theconvicting, life-giving reproofs spoken by Christ and the New Testamentwriters. Such churches claim to preach a gospel of love, mercy and grace.But, sadly, they misuse Gods grace, turning it into a license to sin.
I realize Im not writing this message to that kind of people. Rather, Imspeaking to overcoming Christians who avoid sin as one way of loving theLord. Im speaking to those who enjoy intimacy with Christ because theyhunger and thirst for him constantly. If this describes you, and youredowncast and depressed, please know its happening not because youve gotteneasy on sin. Its happening because youre under attack for loving Jesus!
Be assured all who wait on the Lord will receive his glorious promises:
- Since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by theear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath preparedfor him that waiteth for him (Isaiah 64:4).
- As it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have enteredinto the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that lovehim. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spiritsearcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God (1 Corinthians 2:9-10).
Lets take a closer look at two phrases from the passage in Corinthians:
1. the things which God hath prepared for them that love him (verse 9).Satan can attack you, flooding you with lies and discouraging words. But ifyoull simply wait on the Lord, his Spirit will come to you in the midst ofthe attack and drive out all the devils lies. How? Hell give you arevelation of all the good things God has prepared for you because you lovehim!
Our Lord has a wonderful plan for every single child who loves him. And nosatanic attack against his children can ever alter those plans. God knowsthe sorrows, struggles and pain we may be facing today. But he also knowsthe glorious things he has laid out ahead of us. He knows the revelation well receive, the usefulness well enjoy, the fruit well see, the joy andpeace well possess. He has a good word for all who love him!
2. God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit (verse 10). The Lorddesires to show us his good word about what he has prepared for us. Andhis Spirit is the messenger who bears that good word. The Holy Ghost willgive wings to our drooping spirits with Gods revelation to us and wellfly like eagles out of Satans snare!
Listen to these wonderful words from Isaiah:
Hast thou not known? Hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, theLord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary?There is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint;and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shallfaint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: but they that waiton the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings aseagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint (Isaiah 40:28-31).
That is the work of the Holy Spirit to encourage us. Our work is simply totrust him to fulfill what the father has sent him to do.
Go to your secret closet right now, even in your discouraged state, andquiet yourself before the Lord. Even if you dont have strength enough tospeak, you can reach out to him in spirit. Speak to him this prayer:
Lord, I know your Spirit abides in me. And I know youve sent him tocomfort me, strengthen me and reveal the mind of Christ to me. So, HolyGhost, I turn to you right now in simple, childlike faith. Speak to my heartyour words of comfort. I dont have any strength left. Youre going to haveto lift me up and lead me.
The Spirit of Christ wont let you be deceived. Hell show you the goodthings God has ahead for you. But you must dare to believe he will speak toyou!
Youre not going to faint. Youre going to come out of your trial morevictorious, because your faith will have been tested and tried as gold. Andyoull see the Lord fulfill every promise he has made to you!
---
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When You Come to The End of Yourself!
By David Wilkerson
December 28, 1998
__________
55: The Deep Ends
As we read the words of David in Psalm 38, we find this godly, righteous manat the end of himself. He was downcast and discouraged, and his struggle haddrained him of all strength. Listen to his distraught cry:
I am troubled; I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day longI amfeeble and sore broken: I have roared by reason of the disquietness of myheartMy heart panteth, my strength faileth me: as for the light of mineeyes, it also is gone from meI, as a deaf man, heard not; and I was as adumb man that openeth not his mouth. Thus I was as a man that heareth not,and in whose mouth are no reproofs (Psalm 38:6, 8, 10, 13-14).
As I read this psalm, I imagine David slumped in despair. Perhaps whattroubled him most was that he couldnt understand why he was suddenly castdown so low. This man hungered for the Lord, pouring out his heart daily inprayer. He revered Gods word, writing psalms that extolled his glory. Butnow, in his depressed state, all he could do was cry, Lord, Im at the endof my rope. And I have no idea why its happening!
Like many discouraged Christians today, David tried to figure out why hefelt so empty and broken in spirit. He probably relived every failure, sinand foolish deed in his life. At some point he must have thought, Oh, Lord,have all my reckless acts left me so wounded that Im beyond hope?
Finally, David reasoned that God must have been chastening him. He cried, OLord, rebuke me not in thy wrath: neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.For thine arrows stick fast in me, and thy hand presseth me sore. There isno soundness in my flesh because of thine anger; neither is there any restin my bones because of my sin. For mine iniquities are gone over my head: asan heavy burden they are too heavy for me (verses 1-4).
Let me point out here that David isnt just writing about his own conditionin this psalm. Hes describing something that all devoted lovers of Jesusface at some point in their lifetime. Hes talking about being under ademonic attack from a plaguing spirit of discouragement!
This kind of discouraging spirit comes straight from the bowels of hell. Andthe time comes when every dedicated believer is overwhelmed by this suddenand unexpected experience. No Christian brings it on himself, nor does theLord send it. Such an attack usually has nothing to do with any specific sinor failing by the believer.
Very simply, the spirit of discouragement is Satans most potent weaponagainst Gods elect. Most often, he uses it to try to convince us wevebrought Gods wrath upon ourselves by not measuring up to his holystandards. But the apostle Paul urges us not fall prey to the devils snare:Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of hisdevices (2 Corinthians 2:11).
Paul is saying, You have to see your discouragement for what it really is!Its a demonic weapon an arrow that Satan shoots at you from his quiver toget you to doubt yourself. He knows he cant tempt you to turn away fromJesus. So he swamps you with vicious lies to make you think youll never begood enough to serve Christ. He wants to get you so downcast that youllwant to throw in the towel!
Ask Yourself If Davids Heart-Cry
Is Your Own Cry
Whenever Youre Overwhelmed
by the Spirit of Discouragement.
Feebleness, soreness, brokenness, troubles, disquietness, mourning all ofthese things bowed Davids spirit low. He felt dry and empty, withoutdirection, as if hed learned nothing over the years. as for the light ofmine eyes, it also is gone from me (Psalm 38:10). David is saying, Ivelost my spiritual understanding. My vision and revelation of the Lord haveleft me. I cant reach God as I used to!
I know just how David felt. Ive led evangelistic crusades in whichthousands at a time have come to Christ. And Ive helped lead multitudes ofdrug addicts and alcoholics to deliverance in Jesus. My life has been fullof such rich blessings. But often, within days of these events, I becameoverwhelmed with discouragement. I ended up thinking, Lord, my life hasbeen a complete waste. I havent accomplished anything for you!
Thats the work of Satans spirit of discouragement. It makes us a targetfor the powers of hell within moments of our greatest spiritual victory!
This heavy, demonic spirit laid David so low, he was dumbfounded in Godspresence. He said, But I, as a deaf man, heard not; and I was as a dumb manthat openeth not his mouth. Thus I was as a man that heareth not, and inwhose mouth are no reproofs (verses 13-14).
The Hebrew meaning of this last phrase is a man who has no more answers orarguments left. David was saying, Lord, Im too down and discouraged toeven lift my hand up to you. I cant pray, because Im too confused tospeak. Im drained and empty. I have nothing to say.
Davids trial was not at all unique. Ive read many biographies of devoutmen and women whom the Lord used mightily, and every one of these peoplestruggled through the same kind of crippling discouragement.
The great British preacher C.H. Spurgeon led multitudes to Christ throughhis powerful sermons. But he suffered awful bouts with melancholy. He oftenfelt as if hed accomplished nothing in his life. He once lamented, Ivegot the blackest heart in Britain. Frequently he would go into his garden,raise his hands to God and cry, Lord, Ive never desired you more, yet myspirit has never been so low. Why is this happening?
David voiced the universal cry of the righteous soul that endures an attackof discouragement: I am ready to halt, and my sorrow is continually beforeme (verse 17). The word halt here in Hebrew means fall. David wastelling God, Im not going to make it, Lord. Im at my absolute end and Im about to fall!
God Will Always Be Tender With Us
in Our Helpless Condition
But We Are Never to Allow Unbelief
to Settle in Our Hearts!
We can talk to God all we want about our feelings of failure. We can tellhim about our despair over our sins and foolish mistakes. But we are neverto entertain the thought that he has abandoned us. This is a seriousaccusation, and our Lord doesnt take it lightly. We see his immediateresponse to this kind of accusation in Numbers:
(Israel) journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red Seaand the soul ofthe people was much discouraged because of the way. And the people spakeagainst God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egyptto die in the wilderness? For there is no bread, neither is there any water;and our soul loatheth this light bread; and the Lord sent fiery serpentsamong the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died(Numbers 21:4-6).
When the Bible tells me my loving heavenly father sent fiery serpents uponhis own people, and that they died from the snake bites, I cant ignore thevery clear message: God will not allow such unbelief among his elect! Afterall that our precious Lord has done for us, the most hurtful accusation wecan make against him is that he has neglected us. We are to beware of suchunbelief, especially in our difficult times.
David is our example of someone who kept his faith. Even at his lowestpoint, David wouldnt allow himself to wallow in unbelief. He cried, For inthee, O Lord, do I hope: thou wilt hear, O Lord my God (Psalm 38:15).
If youre enduring an attack from a demonic spirit of discouragement, Isuggest you do these three things:
1. Do Not Try to Maneuver
Your Way Out of It.
Dont try to escape the attack through your own wits. Youre no match forthe demonic spirit youre up against. The battle is far beyond your humanskill or physical power to wage. Nor can you merely talk it out withfriends, or try to overcome it through books, seminars or counselors. Theconflict is in the spiritual realm, and it has to be fought in the spirit.
In his time of discouragement, David couldnt figure out why he was so castdown. He asked, Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thoudisquieted in me? (Psalm 42:5). Yet his questions werent doubts aboutGod. David actually begins the psalm by expressing his deep thirst for theLord: As the hart [deer] panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soulafter thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shallI come and appear before God? (verses 1-2).
In the midst of his discouragement, David cried out for a revelation of theLord. He was saying, God, theres never been a time when Ive loved youmore. I thirst for you like the running deer who pants for water. So why amI so cast down? Why am I suffering such overwhelming discouragement?
Of course, at times David experienced despair and depression because of hissin. He endured the Lords chastening for his pride when he numbered hisfighting men, which was against Gods law. And he felt the pain of Gods rodwhen he committed adultery with Bathsheba and arranged to have her husbandmurdered. His heart broke with dejection over the judgment he brought on hisfamily because of these sins.
So, too, many believers today are discouraged because of their sins. Someare depressed because the Holy Spirit has wanted to bring them into victory,but they resist. Theyve chosen the way of the flesh, and that always leadsto pain and discouragement.
However, Im addressing repentant believers here those who seek God withall their hearts. These faithful servants are gripped by a different kind ofdiscouragement. This kind comes upon them suddenly, out of nowhere, for noapparent reason. And it totally dumbfounds them.
If this is true of you, you can be absolutely sure you are under attack.Satan has sent a cloud of discouragement to overwhelm you. And he has hisreasons for doing so!
You see, discouragement is the devils most devastating tool in his attackson Spirit-hungry saints. It has been the enemys weapon of choice forcenturies against Gods elect. And from the day you became serious about thethings of God determining in your heart to know Christ in his fullness Satan has sought to discourage you. He has watched you dig deeper into Godsword every day. He has seen you changing, growing, overcoming allworldliness. So he has made you a target for heavy attack. And youd betterbelieve that attack will come!
Right now you may be able to praise God loudly in church, saying, This isthe greatest day of joy Ive ever had! But watch out for what comestomorrow. Satan will use his most powerful weapon discouragement to tryto bring you down.
However, when the attack comes, dont think its unusual. God allows thiskind of fiery testing with all his saints. Peter writes, Beloved, think itnot strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though somestrange thing happened unto you (1 Peter 4:12). Discouragement is a trialGods people have endured for centuries!
2. Go to Prayer,
Giving the Holy Spirit
Time to Do His Work!
When youre under attack from the enemys spirit of discouragement, you wont feel like praying. But you must still go to the secret place and be inJesus presence. You dont need to worry about trying to pray your way outof despair. This is the time for Gods Spirit to go to work in you. Its hisjob to lift you out of the pit.
When you go to the Lord, be honest with him. Tell him how weak and helplessyou feel. Let him know, Jesus, Im dry. I have no strength left. If Imever going to get out of this depression, youre going to have to make ithappen.
In such low times, the Lord is very patient with us. He doesnt expect us toexert some intense, fervent effort in prayer. He knows our condition, and hesympathizes with us. So, just sit in his presence and trust his Spirit to doin you what he has been sent to do. It doesnt matter how cast down youare he will never forsake you!
We have the notion that every time we fail the Lord, the Holy Ghost flitsaway like a bird. Some Puritan divines taught this. They believed that GodsSpirit leaves Christians for a season whenever hes grieved with them.
I could never understand or accept this doctrine. How could Gods Spiritabandon me when I need him most? If he leaves me whenever I fail and falldeep into discouragement, how could he be my comforter? That wouldntprovide any comfort at all. In fact, it would leave me in Satans power!
Likewise, if the Holy Ghost is my souls sanctifier, how could he do thiswork if he flies in and out of my life every time I fail? How could I eversee my sin without the Spirits presence there to convict me of it? Howcould I know how to change if he wasnt there to guide and direct me?
Jesus promised us, I will pray the Father, and he shall give you anotherComforter, that he may abide with you for everI will not leave youcomfortless: I will come to you (John 14:16, 18).
When the devils heavy spirit of discouragement settles over your life, youmay be so distraught you cant even whisper a prayer. But even if you cantutter a word, you can talk to Jesus in your spirit. Just tell him softly,Lord, help me. This attack is too much for me. I cant do anything but sithere in faith. Im trusting your Spirit to drive it out of me.
The First Thing the Spirit
Will Do When He Comes Is
Expose All of Satans Lies!
The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in myname, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to yourremembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you (John 14:26).
I remember experiencing a particularly heavy attack of discouragement at acertain point in my life. It happened when I was as close to Jesus as at anyother time. I was diligent about my prayer life, pouring my heart out dailyto the Lord. And I spent hours searching his word, devouring bothTestaments. I enjoyed sweet communion with the Lord and saw many of myprayers answered. As far as I knew, I was in Gods perfect will, doingeverything he told me.
But one morning, as I was preparing a message for the following weekssermon, something hit me. I was overcome by an intense despair. It came outof nowhere, weighing me down heavily. And it happened for no apparentreason.
No matter how hard I tried, I couldnt shake it. As I sat at my desk with myBible open, I tried to continue working on the sermon. But I couldnt getanywhere. Suddenly I was bombarded with doubts about my ability to puttogether a true message from the Lord. My mind was flooded with horriblethoughts that told me, You dont understand Pauls writings. You haventgrasped the old man and new man concepts. You dont comprehend dying tosin when sin still exists. How dare you presume to preach Gods holy word?
I sat there for three hours, determined to dig out a message. But nothingever came. By mid-morning, all the words on the pages of my Bible seemed torun together. My mind was confused, and my spirit was dull, unable to hearanything from the Lord.
I sank deeper into despair, thinking, Im totally ignorant of Gods word.Yet I keep churning out sermon after sermon, week after week. Im not reallyserving anybody. After all these years, I still dont understand the Bible.My light has gone out!
I was convinced I had nothing to give the people in our church. So I closedthe Bible and left my study.
As I walked around the house, my discouragement only grew. I tried to figureout why it had come upon me in the first place, but I didnt have a clue. Ididnt have any financial troubles. I had no family crisis. I felt greatphysically. And I had no known sin. I didnt have a single reason to feelthe way I did.
Finally, I went into my prayer room and sat on the floor. I couldnt evenmuster up a word to say to the Lord. Instead, I cried out to him from myspirit: Lord, I dont know what to do. I feel so down I cant even reachout to you. Yet I know Ive never loved you more than right now. Why is thishappening? Please, God help me.
When the devil comes with his spirit of discouragement, he bombards you withone lie after another. He lies to you about your marriage, your family, yourfriendships, your calling, your walk with the Lord. Then he begins to replayin your mind every sin, failure and foolish thing youve ever done. By thetime hes finished, youre crying, Oh, God Ill never make it!
This is just what the devil did to me. While in prayer, I endured hisbombardment of hellish lies for about half an hour. Thats when Gods still,small voice broke through to my spirit. He spoke to me words full of loveand compassion: David, youre greatly loved. Dont worry my hand is uponyou. Youre under severe attack, but you dont have to fear. You dont needany strength of your own for this battle. I have everything you need.
The first thing the Holy Spirit does in such times is to bring to yourremembrance all the precious promises of Jesus. And so he did with me. Heflooded my soul with dozens of promises I knew from Gods word. And heassured me, Your life isnt over. You dont know it, but you havent evenstarted yet. The best is still ahead of you.
My spirit soared within me. As I stood to my feet I thought, Why did I everput up with any of this discouragement? Its not from my Lord!
That is the work of the Holy Spirit. He undoes the lies of the enemy andbrings encouragement from on high!
Dare to Believe
the Incredibly Good Things
the Holy Spirit Is Going to Tell You!
Multitudes of Christians enter Gods presence every day expecting to bereproved by him. How that must grieve our Lord. When we go to prayer, weought to be prepared to hear a good word from our loving father. But manybelievers rarely are. I lived that way for years. Every time I entered myprayer closet, I expected to hear a rebuke from the Lord. Thank God, he hastaught me a better way.
On the other hand, there are entire denominations that avoid any mention ofholy reproof. They say very little about sin because they want to preachonly positive, upbeat messages. In the process, they ignore all theconvicting, life-giving reproofs spoken by Christ and the New Testamentwriters. Such churches claim to preach a gospel of love, mercy and grace.But, sadly, they misuse Gods grace, turning it into a license to sin.
I realize Im not writing this message to that kind of people. Rather, Imspeaking to overcoming Christians who avoid sin as one way of loving theLord. Im speaking to those who enjoy intimacy with Christ because theyhunger and thirst for him constantly. If this describes you, and youredowncast and depressed, please know its happening not because youve gotteneasy on sin. Its happening because youre under attack for loving Jesus!
Be assured all who wait on the Lord will receive his glorious promises:
- Since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by theear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath preparedfor him that waiteth for him (Isaiah 64:4).
- As it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have enteredinto the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that lovehim. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spiritsearcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God (1 Corinthians 2:9-10).
Lets take a closer look at two phrases from the passage in Corinthians:
1. the things which God hath prepared for them that love him (verse 9).Satan can attack you, flooding you with lies and discouraging words. But ifyoull simply wait on the Lord, his Spirit will come to you in the midst ofthe attack and drive out all the devils lies. How? Hell give you arevelation of all the good things God has prepared for you because you lovehim!
Our Lord has a wonderful plan for every single child who loves him. And nosatanic attack against his children can ever alter those plans. God knowsthe sorrows, struggles and pain we may be facing today. But he also knowsthe glorious things he has laid out ahead of us. He knows the revelation well receive, the usefulness well enjoy, the fruit well see, the joy andpeace well possess. He has a good word for all who love him!
2. God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit (verse 10). The Lorddesires to show us his good word about what he has prepared for us. Andhis Spirit is the messenger who bears that good word. The Holy Ghost willgive wings to our drooping spirits with Gods revelation to us and wellfly like eagles out of Satans snare!
Listen to these wonderful words from Isaiah:
Hast thou not known? Hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, theLord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary?There is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint;and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shallfaint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: but they that waiton the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings aseagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint (Isaiah 40:28-31).
That is the work of the Holy Spirit to encourage us. Our work is simply totrust him to fulfill what the father has sent him to do.
Go to your secret closet right now, even in your discouraged state, andquiet yourself before the Lord. Even if you dont have strength enough tospeak, you can reach out to him in spirit. Speak to him this prayer:
Lord, I know your Spirit abides in me. And I know youve sent him tocomfort me, strengthen me and reveal the mind of Christ to me. So, HolyGhost, I turn to you right now in simple, childlike faith. Speak to my heartyour words of comfort. I dont have any strength left. Youre going to haveto lift me up and lead me.
The Spirit of Christ wont let you be deceived. Hell show you the goodthings God has ahead for you. But you must dare to believe he will speak toyou!
Youre not going to faint. Youre going to come out of your trial morevictorious, because your faith will have been tested and tried as gold. Andyoull see the Lord fulfill every promise he has made to you!
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