What should we do when a brother or sister in Christ is discouraged and downhearted and weary, if they do not know if they have strength to go on? What does the Bible say to do for a weary, fearful Christian? In this video are some verses that tell us.
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“4) And the men of David said unto him, Behold the day of which the LORD said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul's robe privily. 5) And it came to pass afterward, that David's heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt. 6) And he said unto his men, The LORD forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the LORD'S anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the LORD. 7) So David stayed his servants with these words, and suffered them not to rise against Saul. But Saul rose up out of the cave, and went on his way….” “10) Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the LORD had delivered thee to day into mine hand in the cave: and some bade me kill thee: but mine eye spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth mine hand against my lord; for he is the LORD'S anointed. 11) Moreover, my father, see, yea, see the skirt of thy robe in my hand: for in that I cut off the skirt of thy robe, and killed thee not, know thou and see that there is neither evil nor transgression in mine hand, and I have not sinned against thee; yet thou huntest my soul to take it. 12) The LORD judge between me and thee, and the LORD avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee….” “17) And he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil. 18) And thou hast shewed this day how that thou hast dealt well with me: forasmuch as when the LORD had delivered me into thine hand, thou killedst me not. 19) For if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away? wherefore the LORD reward thee good for that thou hast done unto me this day.” (from I Samuel 24:4-19) “David insisted on waiting the Lord’s own time. He would not anticipate, by a single hour, the fulfillment of the great word on which he had been taught to rest through these weary years. The sensitiveness of his conscience was indicated in his compunction* at having cut off a piece of the royal robe. “Never forget that opportunity does not make a wrong thing right. That the ship that was waiting to sail to Tarshish did not make it right for Jonah to take passage. Our actions must not be determined by the opening of the door of circumstance, but by conscience, faith, obedience, and the high sense of Christian honor.” —F.B. Meyer ----------------------- *Compunction - A picking of heart; poignant grief proceeding from a sense of guilt or consciousness of causing pain; the sting of conscience. (Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary, 1913 edition) “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) We have already received the Holy Ghost; therefore, we have already received power to be Christ’s witnesses. We need to let the power of the Holy Spirit fill us so that we can be effective in witnessing. “And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.” (Acts 4:31) Evidence of the Holy Spirit’s filling here was that they spake the word of God with boldness. How we need the Holy Spirit to fill us so that we may do the same! “And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.” (Acts 13:52) ~T. J. L. Y. Obey God and Do it Anyway “19) But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. 20) For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4:19,20) We must do what is right in God’s sight even if men threaten to take away all that we have, even our lives. “Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29) How we need men today with boldness to obey God rather than men! “And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.” (Acts 7:60) How do we respond to those who hurt us? Do we love our enemies and ask the Lord to forgive them? Counted Worthy to Suffer for Christ “40) And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41) And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. 42) And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.” (Acts 5:40-42) If threatened because of speaking for Christ, would I remember that He has counted me worthy to suffer shame for His name, and would I rejoice? Would I unceasingly teach and preach Jesus Christ? How much more should I be doing so when there are no threats! Persecution Spreads the Gospel “Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.” (Acts 8:4) The persecution helped to push the disciples into beginning to fulfill the great commission. God did not want them to wait until all of Jerusalem was reached before they began moving toward the uttermost. At this time, they only went into Judaea and Samaria. And when they went into Judaea and Samaria, they went EVERYWHERE preaching the word. “2) But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren. 3) Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands. 4) But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles. 5) And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use them despitefully, and to stone them, 6) They were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about: 7) And there they preached the gospel.” (Acts 14:2-7) When we face non-violent persecution, we should just continue preaching and teaching the word. If we know that our lives are in danger, we can run away. But that doesn’t mean it is time to quit preaching the word. There are many other places that need the gospel. Joy “And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.” (Acts 13:52) Persecution should cause us to be filled with joy and with the Holy Ghost. Confirming Believers so that They will be Strong under Persecution “Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.” (Acts 14:22) It is important to return to the churches that have been established under our ministry, to confirm the souls of the disciples, to exhort them to continue in the faith, and to remind them that they will face much tribulation on this earth. ~T. J. L. Y. Salvation Through Jesus who is the Christ, the Messiah “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.” (Acts 2:36) And some day every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Oh, that men may confess Him now to the saving of their souls. Repentance “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord….” (Acts 3:19) Repentance is necessary for salvation. “30) And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: 31) Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.” (Acts 17:30,31) Repentance is commanded by God. Men must repent because a day has been appointed in which the world will be judged by Jesus Christ. Only by the Name of Jesus “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12) Only one way of salvation. Only one name. Precious name, oh, how sweet! Forgiveness of Sins by Jesus Christ “23) Of this man's seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus: 38) Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: 39) And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.” (Acts 13:23,38,39) By Faith “31) And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. 32) And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.” (Acts 16:31,32) It is by faith that a person is saved; but when we tell others how to be saved, we need to speak unto them the word of the Lord, explaining what faith means so that they will have a clear understanding of the way of salvation. “18) And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds. 19) Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20) So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.” (Acts 19:18-20) When people see the power of God, they will turn by faith unto the Lord. They will not be ashamed to give public testimony before all men of how God has changed their lives. They will willingly give up all that is ungodly, no matter what the cost. And the word of God will grow mightily and prevail. By the Hearing of God’s Word “31) And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. 32) And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.” (Acts 16:31,32) Evidences of Salvation: Baptism “But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.” (Acts 8:12) When they believed the preaching, they were baptized. If a person truly believes, they will have no doubts about whether they should be baptized or not. Baptism easily follows true faith in Christ and shows to the world that we have become new creatures and have new life in Christ. “And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.” (Acts 18:8) Crispus and his household and many other Corinthians believed when the heard the word (faith cometh by hearing), and they were baptized (readily follows salvation). Joy Salvation Should Bring Joy in One’s Life and Result in Good Works “41) Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. 42) And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” (Acts 2:41,42) They didn’t have to be persuaded or coerced into being baptized. Neither did they have to be persuaded to join a church and fellowship with the other believers. They were so glad to be saved that that these things easily and rightly followed their salvation. “46) And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 47) Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” (Acts 2:46,47) Emphasis added “8) And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. 9) And all the people saw him walking and praising God….” (Acts 3:8,9) There should be such rejoicing when we are saved so that other people will see what a joy it is to be saved. “And there was great joy in that city.” (Acts 8:8) When the word is preached and souls are saved, there should always be great joy. “And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.” (Acts 16:34) Salvation of Others Should Bring Believers Great Joy “3) And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren. 4) And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.” (Acts 15:3,4) Not only should we rehearse God’s works to those who sent us, but wherever we go, we can tell about those who have been saved and about all that God has done in partnership with us. This should cause great joy unto all the brethren. God’s Word is Magnified “So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.” (Acts 19: 20) The word of God will grow mightily and prevail. ~T. J. L. Y.
“1) Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2) In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3) And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. 4) And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.” (John 14:1-4) We are commanded not to let our hearts be troubled. And then we are given some wonderful promises - that there are many mansions in God’s house; that Jesus is preparing a place for us; that He will come again and take us to be there with Him. ~T. J. L. Y. “4) Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5) I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” (John 15:4,5) Lord, help us to abide in you that we might bring forth much fruit for your glory. “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” (John 15:7) A similar promise was given in chapter 14, verses 13 and 14. A prerequisite to answered prayer is abiding in Christ and letting Christ’s words abide in me. “10) If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love…. 12) This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you…. 14) Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you…. 17) These things I command you, that ye love one another.” (John 15:10,12,14,17) How do we abide in Christ’s love? by keeping His commandments. What is the condition for being Christ’s friend? obeying His commandments. What is His commandment? to love one another as He has loved us. ~T. J. L. Y. Psalm 119 ends in an unusual way. It does not end on a note of triumph and answers and solutions. Perhaps God intended it this way to show that sometimes trials and troubles continue on, and we do not always see God’s working immediately. We have to continue to cry out and to trust and to search our own hearts. We must continue to hope in His word and wait for Him to help us and deliver us. Even when life seems to hang uncertainly, God and His word can still be trusted and waited upon. This last section of Psalm 119 begins “Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD: give me understanding according to thy word. Let my supplication come before thee: deliver me according to thy word.” (Psalm 119:169,170) Here the Psalmist cries out, almost as if he is saying, “Lord, don’t You hear my cry. Please give me understanding. Please deliver me. I am waiting.” And thus he pours out his supplication. Mixed in with his desperate cries for help is his declaration that he will praise the Lord and speak about His word. “171) My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes. 172) My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.” (verses 171 and 172) Even though the Psalmist did not immediately see God’s answer to prayer and his situation remained difficult, he chose to cling to God’s word. God’s word was still his delight. He determined to praise God if God should let him continue to live. God’s word would be his help. “173) Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts. 174) I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law is my delight. 175) Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and let thy judgments help me.” (verses 173-175) In the last verse, it seems as if the Psalmist feels he is in danger of taking his eyes off the Lord. He says desperately, “I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.” (verse 176) Even so, he chooses to remember God’s word and to lay his problem before the Lord, knowing that the Lord will not let him go but will seek him when he goes astray. Do things seem hard for us? Do our trials go on and on? Are we tempted to doubt the Lord? We have the same God as did the Psalmist, and we also have God’s word. The answer for these times is the same as the answer for the easier times of life – God and His word. That is the place from where our deliverance and help comes. God is the one who will seek us out and bring us back if we go astray and revive us and deliver us and show us His salvation. Therefore, we should choose God’s word and make it our delight because it is the source of our help. Thank You, God. Help me to trust in You even when I cannot see the end and cannot see the answer. Help me to remember that You still hear and You still care. The Psalmist wrote, “Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word.” (verse 161) Why was the Psalmist in such awe of God’s word? Well, it holds treasures for the one who trusts in and fears God. In this section of Psalm 119, some of these treasures are listed. - Joy, “I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.” (verse 162) - Truth and love of truth, “I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love.” (verse 163) - Praise – a heart of praise because of the righteousness of God’s word, “Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments.” (verse 164) - Peace, “Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.” (verse 165) - Hope, “LORD, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments.” (verse 166) Because of all the wonderful treasures he found in God’s word, the Psalmist determined to love it and keep it. “167) My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly. 168) I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways are before thee.” (verse 167,168) The treasures in God’s word are for us too – for you and for me. We also can have joy, truth, love of truth, a heart of praise, peace and hope. These are the spoils that should make God’s word dear to our hearts. Lord, help me to dig into Your word and find the spoils You have there for me. Help me love Your word exceedingly and obey it so that I know my way can be right before You. Thank You, for giving me this great treasure! “153) Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law. 154) Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word.” (verses 153, 154) The Psalmist was in affliction and was afraid of his enemies. Did the Lord see? “Consider mine afflictions” he prayed to the Lord. Look at the situation I am in. “Plead my cause.” I have no one to stand up and help me, so my only hope is You, Lord. Deliver me and quicken me. The word “quicken” means to nourish, revive, and restore to life. The Psalmist was praying for deliverance and for someone to revive his fainting spirit. “155) Salvation is far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes. 156) Great are thy tender mercies, O LORD: quicken me according to thy judgments.” (verses 155, 156) Here the Psalmist contrasts the wicked and those that seek God and His word. The wicked have no hope of salvation. Because he loves God and His word, the Psalmist has hope of God’s tender mercies and of revival and restoration. For this reason, he did not turn back from keeping God’s word. “Many are my persecutors and mine enemies; yet do I not decline from thy testimonies.” (verse 157) This hope of experiencing God’s tender mercies and revival and restoration is shared by all those who fear the Lord and hear and heed His word. “I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy word.” (verse 158) Several times in this Psalm, the author of it expresses how grieved he is or the sorrow he feels because of the wicked who do not keep God’s word. Does it make our heart heavy and sorrowful when we see the wicked disregarding the word of God? It should. It means these wicked have no hope, and often it means that the righteous are oppressed. That should make us very sad. “159) Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O LORD, according to thy lovingkindness. 160) Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.” (verses 159, 160) Once again, the Psalmist asked for the Lord to consider him. He wanted the Lord to think on how he kept His word and loved it and how the Lord promised to revive those that do. He acknowledged that the word of God is true from the beginning and will endure forever. Therefore, he desired revival and restoration according to what had been said in God’s word. Deliverance, revival and restoration can be ours too, if we will only love and obey and hope in God’s word. We have the same God as the Psalmist, and we also can cry to Him for quickening and for the receiving of His tender mercies. They are there for the asking and seeking. Thank You, God! |
About the Author
Hello! My name is Connie, and I live in North Carolina. The Lord has blessed me with wonderful parents, a wonderful sister, and a great church family . The past few years have been difficult in many ways, but God has been with me all the way. Much praise goes to the Lord for His guidance and wisdom in starting this website. I would also like to express my thanks to Valerie who has joyfully and willingly given of her time to help design this website and do much of the technical work. She and her family are faithful servants to the Lord. They also have gone through many trials in the past few years, but they have allowed God to use these trials to make them sweeter and more like His Son Jesus Christ. Rights:
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