Satan's Fiery Dart Series - 1st.Kings 19:14-18 "And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD GOD of hosts; because the children of Israel have forsaken THY covenant, thrown down THINE alters, and slain THY prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away. And the LORD said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be King over Syria: and Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be King over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room. And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay. Yet I have left ME seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him."
Satan commonly utilizes discouragement in his attacks against believers. Discouragement is not a respecter of persons. Those who are faithful to GOD will sometimes become downhearted because it is not easy to be in the battle and feel alone or in the minority. Moreover, those who are backslidden from a proper fellowship with GOD likewise grow dispirited because they know better; their conscience is not clear.
Satan has used discouragement to sideline many of GOD's children throughout history. We feel dismayed when others do not like or embrace what we believe. We become dejected when people do not acknowledge or appreciate something we have done. We get disappointed when we see unbelievers or unfaithful Christians having a "good time" while we are enduring hardships or trials. We grow discouraged when our life or our endeavors do not turn out as we had anticipated or hoped they would.
Like discontentment, discouragement always transpires when our eyes are upon something or someone other than the LORD. We tend to look around at our circumstances and then base our behavior and actions on what we see rather than what we know to be true. This is exactly what happened to the prophet Elijah. GOD's response was, in essence, "Elijah, get back to work doing what I have called you to do, and get your eyes off your circumstances because you do not even have all of the information !" The psalmist had the answer for discouragement in Psalm 42:5-6 pictured above -- we need to focus on GOD alone and wholly place our faith in HIM and HIS WORD. Once again, we are to use the shield of faith, for with it we can quench Satan's fiery dart of discouragement. MDC
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie
Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.
Used with permission. www.featoday.org
https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation
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