ALMOST DISCOURAGED

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 21, 1860

“ALMOST DISCOURAGED.”

What, “almost discouraged?” Poor child, what are you discouraged about? “Discouraged,” when the journey’s end is near? “Discouraged,” when he, the loved “ruler of thy heart” is coming

to bring thy crown? “Discouraged,” while the eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath thee are the everlasting arms? “Discouraged,” while he says thy grace is sufficient for thee? “Discouraged,” while he hath said, “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee?” “Discouraged,” when he hath given his angels’ charge concerning thee to keep thee in all thy ways? “Discouraged,” while Jesus is touched with the feeling of our infirmities, and knows how to succor them that are tempted? “Discouraged,” while every trial worketh an exceeding weight of glory?

“Well, I know it, but I have so many temptations.” So have I, so has everybody that serves God. Don’t you know that the swiftness of the current is a good sign that you are rowing up stream? The fact is, Satan is always good to his own, and if a man is tormented and harpooned by the Devil it is a good token that he belongs to the other army.

“Discouraged?” O no, I would’nt be discouraged—soon the Master will say, I was hungry and ye fed me—soon he will remember each “cup of cold water” given in a disciple’s name, and every act done in secret for his glory will be known and remembered in that day.

“Discouraged?” Yes, the disciples were when they had toiled all night and taken nothing, but at Christ’s command they cast the net once more, and caught a boat-load at that time—what a haul! They were full of courage then.

“Discouraged?” Yes, the twelve chosen friends of Christ were discouraged when they vainly strove to guide their laboring bark amid the tempest’s rage. Do you feel thus? Does it seem that the Master is asleep and you are in peril? O awake him then with earnest prayer, and when he rebukes the wind there will be a great calm.

“Discouraged?” Yes, so were the followers of Jesus on the waves of the troubled Gennesaret, and Jesus was away; but while they were tossed by the waves he prayed upon the mountain top. And so now while we are discouraged with life’s tempests, and sad as we think of our absent Lord, but though absent, yet on the distant hills of light he pleads our cause with God. And by and by when our sinking hearts quail before the tempest’s wildest rage, he will come treading upon the rude billows that disturb us—hushing the fury of the fearful tempest and guiding us to the port of peace.

Now I wouldn’t be discouraged, or almost discouraged any more. O trust in the Lord! Hope in his mercy. Believe his precious promises—forget your poor miserable sinful self, and find in him your all. Cast your care on him. Tell your woes to him. Give yourself away to him. Serve him with all your heart and he will be your strength, your hope, your joy and consolation.

Now don’t be discouraged any more will you? Trust in the Lord always.