Psalms 43 Chapter 43 1 Judge me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation: Oh deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man. 2 For thou art the God of my strength; why hast thou cast me off? Why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? 3 Oh send out thy light and thy truth; let them lead me: Let them bring me unto thy holy hill, And to thy tabernacles. 4 Then will I go unto the altar of God, Unto God my exceeding joy; And upon the harp will I praise thee, O God, my God. 5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God; for I shall yet praise him, `Who is' the help of my countenance, and my God. Psalm 44 For the Chief Musician. `A Psalm' of the sons of Korah. Maschil.

It’s often easy to trace discouragement back to its apparent cause, such as a criticism at work or a relationship issue. But there can be subtle, less obvious factors that are valuable to understand. So let’s look at some spiritual components.

Satan. The enemy is a primary instigator. His purpose is to have us lose heart, think poorly of ourselves, and focus only on the negative.

An area of weakness. When the devil has a stronghold in our life, such as a tenacious habit, he can use it to discourage us. This can be especially disheartening because it feels as if we can’t escape his grip, no matter what we do.

Unanswered prayer. When a prayer is answered “no” or “not now,” we can lose hope. Sadly, some people quit praying altogether.

Prayerlessness. Failing to understand God’s sovereignty and timing can lead to this tragic result. When He answers prayer in an unexpected way, some believers are so taken aback or irritated that they give up on praying altogether. However, cutting off communication with the Lord is a sure way to move into deeper discouragement.

The sense you can’t please God. This is a tragic consequence of a works-based faith, wherein we believe God’s favor is tied to our good works. What a misguided error! Our Father’s love is based on His own grace, not our deeds.

It can be surprising to realize spiritual factors may be adding to our discouragement and further draining our joy and energy. Identifying these causes is crucial, even if the process is painful. Once we clearly see the problems, we can begin to learn how to avoid or correct these trouble areas.

Bible in One Year: Proverbs 26-28 Chapter 26 1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, So honor is not seemly for a fool. 2 As the sparrow in her wandering, as the swallow in her flying, So the curse that is causeless alighteth not. 3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, And a rod for the back of fools. 4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, Lest thou also be like unto him. 5 Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own conceit. 6 He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool Cutteth off `his own' feet, `and' drinketh in damage. 7 The legs of the lame hang loose: So is a parable in the mouth of fools. 8 As one that bindeth a stone in a sling, So is he that giveth honor to a fool. 9 `As' a thorn that goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, So is a parable in the mouth of fools. 10 `As' an archer that woundeth all, So is he that hireth a fool and he that hireth them that pass by. 11 As a dog that returneth to his vomit, `So is' a fool that repeateth his folly. 12 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope of a fool than of him. 13 The sluggard saith, There is a lion in the way; A lion is in the streets. 14 `As' the door turneth upon its hinges, So doth the sluggard upon his bed. 15 The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish; It wearieth him to bring it again to his mouth. 16 The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit Than seven men that can render a reason. 17 He that passeth by, `and' vexeth himself with strife belonging not to him, Is `like' one that taketh a dog by the ears. 18 As a madman who casteth firebrands, Arrows, and death, 19 So is the man that deceiveth his neighbor, And saith, Am not I in sport? 20 For lack of wood the fire goeth out; And where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth. 21 `As' coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to inflame strife. 22 The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts. 23 Fervent lips and a wicked heart Are `like' an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross. 24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips; But he layeth up deceit within him: 25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not; For there are seven abominations in his heart: 26 Though `his' hatred cover itself with guile, His wickedness shall be openly showed before the assembly. 27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein; And he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him. 28 A lying tongue hateth those whom it hath wounded; And a flattering mouth worketh ruin. Chapter 27 1 Boast not thyself of tomorrow; For thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. 2 Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; A stranger, and not thine own lips. 3 A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; But a fool's vexation is heavier than they both. 4 Wrath is cruel, and anger is overwhelming; But who is able to stand before jealousy? 5 Better is open rebuke Than love that is hidden. 6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; But the kisses of an enemy are profuse. 7 The full soul loatheth a honeycomb; But to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet. 8 As a bird that wandereth from her nest, So is a man that wandereth from his place. 9 Oil and perfume rejoice the heart; So doth the sweetness of a man's friend `that cometh' of hearty counsel. 10 Thine own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not; And go not to thy brother's house in the day of thy calamity: Better is a neighbor that is near than a brother far off. 11 My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, That I may answer him that reproacheth me. 12 A prudent man seeth the evil, `and' hideth himself; `But' the simple pass on, `and' suffer for it. 13 Take his garment that is surety for a stranger; And hold him in pledge `that is surety' for a foreign woman. 14 He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, It shall be counted a curse to him. 15 A continual dropping in a very rainy day And a contentious woman are alike: 16 He that would restrain her restraineth the wind; And his right hand encountereth oil. 17 Iron sharpeneth iron; So a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. 18 Whoso keepeth the fig-tree shall eat the fruit thereof; And he that regardeth his master shall be honored. 19 As in water face `answereth' to face, So the heart of man to man. 20 Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied; And the eyes of man are never satisfied. 21 The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; And a man is `tried' by his praise. 22 Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with bruised grain, Yet will not his foolishness depart from him. 23 Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, `And' look well to thy herds: 24 For riches are not for ever: And doth the crown endure unto all generations? 25 The hay is carried, and the tender grass showeth itself, And the herbs of the mountains are gathered in. 26 The lambs are for thy clothing, And the goats are the price of the field; 27 And `there will be' goats' milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, And maintenance for thy maidens. Chapter 28 1 The wicked flee when no man pursueth; But the righteous are bold as a lion. 2 For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof; But by men of understanding `and' knowledge the state `thereof' shall be prolonged. 3 A needy man that oppresseth the poor Is `like' a sweeping rain which leaveth no food. 4 They that forsake the law praise the wicked; But such as keep the law contend with them. 5 Evil men understand not justice; But they that seek Jehovah understand all things. 6 Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, Than he that is perverse in `his' ways, though he be rich. 7 Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son; But he that is a companion of gluttons shameth his father. 8 He that augmenteth his substance by interest and increase, Gathereth it for him that hath pity on the poor. 9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer is an abomination. 10 Whoso causeth the upright to go astray in an evil way, He shall fall himself into his own pit; But the perfect shall inherit good. 11 The rich man is wise in his own conceit; But the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out. 12 When the righteous triumph, there is great glory; But when the wicked rise, men hide themselves. 13 He that covereth his transgressions shall not prosper: But whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall obtain mercy. 14 Happy is the man that feareth alway; But he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief. 15 `As' a roaring lion, and a ranging bear, `So is' a wicked ruler over a poor people. 16 The prince that lacketh understanding is also a great oppressor; `But' he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days. 17 A man that is laden with the blood of any person Shall flee unto the pit; let no man stay him. 18 Whoso walketh uprightly shall be delivered; But he that is perverse in `his' ways shall fall at once. 19 He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread; But he that followeth after vain `persons' shall have poverty enough. 20 A faithful man shall abound with blessings; But he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be unpunished. 21 To have respect of persons is not good; Neither that a man should transgress for a piece of bread. 22 he that hath an evil eye hasteth after riches, And knoweth not that want shall come upon him. 23 He that rebuketh a man shall afterward find more favor Than he that flattereth with the tongue. 24 Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression, The same is the companion of a destroyer. 25 He that is of a greedy spirit stirreth up strife; But he that putteth his trust in Jehovah shall be made fat. 26 He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool; But whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered. 27 He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack; But he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse. 28 When the wicked rise, men hide themselves; But when they perish, the righteous increase.