THE DISCOURAGEMENT CURE

PSALM 27:13-14 NKJ 
13 I would have lost heart, unless I had believed 
That I would see the goodness of the Lord 
In the land of the living. 
14 Wait on the Lord; 
Be of good courage, 
And He shall strengthen your heart; 
Wait, I say, on the Lord! 

David was a man who faced many discouraging situations. Starting when he was a teen, and his family did not invite him to a feast with Israel's top leader, Samuel. Having King Saul trying to kill him for years caused him to run all over the nation simply to stay alive. Losing his home to a fire and having his family kidnapped. Having his own men turn on him and want to kill him. Family problems, national problems, and all the wars he had to fight. Yes, David was a man who faced discouraging times and seasons. And yet. And yet, he did not lose heart. He did not quit on God or his role as leader and King. He did not quit on himself when he made some big mistakes. David did not quit because David did not stay discouraged. He dealt with discouragement, but he did not live there. The 27th Psalm gives us a good snapshot of David's beliefs. And verses 13 and 14 sum it up well.   

David believed he would see God's goodness in his life. He believed God would be good to him and help him. So instead of losing heart, David would wait on the Lord. The margin of my bible says wait in faith on the Lord. David was looking to the Lord and believing that God would strengthen him to handle whatever came his way. David is a notable example of how to live free from the ravages of despair and discouragement. Not because he never saw tough times. But because he trusted in God's goodness and put his faith in God to strengthen and help him. 

APPLICATION: 

When discouragement raises its ugly head in our lives, we have a solution. We have the cure. 

We can examine what we believe and adjust if it's negative. Easy? No, but far better than staying down. When we believe we will see the Lord's goodness in our lives and we look to Him for the strength to continue, we are on our way. We still have to face challenges. But the gloomy voice of discouragement will be diminished. Discouragement will not have the last word. 

PRAYER: 

Thank you, Lord, for Your goodness to me. I believe I will see it, so I am waiting on You expectantly. I believe You will strengthen my heart. Thank You for the cure.