Why Be Discouraged?

Started by RV, June 03, 2021, 11:13:02 AM

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RV

There have been a plethora of videos and posts in about every conceivable place talking about how "discouraging" current events are. I'm not at all discouraged, throwing up my hands nor worried about what is to come. Human depravity is commonplace, inevitable and documented clearly in the Bible, so why be discouraged?

"...but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, you shall not eat, for in that day that you eat of it, you shall surely die." Genesis 1:17

What happened? Humans of course ate, broke the covenant, broke the ONE rule that God had given them and showed their depravity. God of course drove Adam and Eve out of the Garden.

Now I know what the ignorant unbelievers will focus on. The ignorant unbelievers will point to the part about "for in that day", never knowing what a "day" is to God, what He meant by that nor even when Adam and Eve actually died. Unbelievers will parrot about "inconsistencies" and "incongruities" and claim that because they are clueless, somehow that means that everyone else should just believe them and ignore the Bible. Let's see now, what is that word to describe them? Arrogant?

Cain was jealous of Abel and thus thought he could take him out of the picture, kill him and then cover the crime up to their Father. The book of Genesis documents the account. It didn't go well for Cain...

The Lord saw that the wickedness and depravity of man was great on the Earth. The Bible tells us in Genesis 6:5 that humans are evil and that "every intent of the thoughts of their heart" were evil "continually". The great flood killed all of mankind and all flesh on the Earth except those on the Ark. God created a rainbow as a sign that He would never again kill all Earthly flesh with a flood. Guess what humans have done with God's sign unto man?

So, while this may seem discouraging to those who do not read, understand, study the Bible nor follow God but, it is VERY encouraging to those who do. Why would these events be encouraging? Because it shows the depravity of humans and the great patience, mercy and greatness of the Lord!

Roughly six million Jewish men, women and children were murdered in Nazi Germany by Hitler's Nazi troops. In 1948 Israel was recognized as it's own state. Despite Nazi attempts, the Jews were not exterminated. God would never have allowed His chosen people to be exterminated by depraved, evil, hypocrites and devil worshippers like the Nazi's. I might add that Jesus, God's only Son, was a Jew. Like Cain, it didn't go well for the Nazi's nor Adolf Hitler.

So, no I am not discouraged by all of this anarchy, evilness, vileness and depravity that I see everywhere. The Bible tells us to look up for our redemption draws near.
RV

"Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy path."

Hoofer

Hearing the Cincinnati Reds blowing a 2-0 lead and get BEAT 17-3.... meh, there sure ain't a Bible answer for *that* blow out!!!  They're probably thankful it got Rained Out last night!

For the Believer, who has placed their faith in Jesus Christ - we know how it's gonna end, and Jesus said we should expect 'tribulation'.  There's one thing, we need to really grasp, and oftentimes, the weight of the world distracts & discourages us.

God *wants* to have fellowship with us.  Church is one thing, but fellowship, on a one-by-one basis.
He also wants bless us.  Bless us so we'll tell others, how GOOD God really is.  The goodness of God does lead men to repentance! 


Thanking God shouldn't be like the Pharisees, "Oh, I thank God I'm not a woman, or ever done those terrible things *that* guy did..."  If you're having trouble, take a walk in the woods, look up and marvel at some of those big trees, or creek, and thank God for the "laws of nature" that make water run down hill & trees grow up to provide shade.  If I was in a Sequoia forest, I'd strain to see the top of one of those monsters, and thank God for keeping a few of them from burning, so I could SEE what a multi-century tree looks like.

Many times, I take James at his word, "If anyone lacks wisdom, let him ask of God" - granted the first few times, I kinda felt odd... 'would GOD really reply in a way I knew it was HIM...?'  ...and then someone might say, "Hey, why not try this, or that" - and it was precisely the solution.  Working the problem by-my-self can get nerve-wracking, frustrating and discouraging.  But, taking a moment, turning to the Lord, "Lord, I need some help, please send me help, or give me wisdom to resolve this."

Wifey and I have see the Lord answer those kinds of prayers, so often, we wonder if in heaven, some Angel is gonna tap us on the shoulder, "Why did you two wait so long to call upon the Lord for help?  He told us... wait a little longer, this is a *teaching* experience... they'll call... just wait - there they go, OK, send 'em some help!"
All animals are created equal; Some just take longer to cook.   Survival is keeping an eye on those around you...