I am so weak and have so much to overcome, that I am almost discouraged.” How often do we hear this expression in social meetings. It is the burden of some testimonies. It seems as though some people think that there is special merit in deprecating themselves. They almost take pride in their humility. Others do not seem to know that there is any better way for them to do. But however true it may be, or however often it is repeated, it cannot help but be displeasing to God. We are commanded to “exhort one another,” and to “provoke unto love and to good works,” but such language is anything but encouraging. Its effect is seen on the individual who uses it. It soon becomes habitual, for each time it is uttered, the discouragement increases. It grows by repetition, but it is withering to the soul.

It is the language of unbelief. Although the individual may be unconscious of the fact, the spirit which prompts it is the same as that possessed by the ten spies who brought back an evil report. God had said: “My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.” Having this promise, it was exceedingly wicked for them to say they could not possess the land. On this occasion, as well as at other times of murmuring, God showed His great displeasure. In this instance we see the natural result of such distrust. They did not enter the promised land. “And the Lord spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, How long shall I bear with this evil congregation, which murmur against me? I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel, which they murmur against me. Say unto them, As truly as I live, saith the Lord, as ye have spoken in mine ears, so will I do to you: your carcases shall fall in this wilderness” (Numbers 14:26–29). They said they could not go, and they did not; but Caleb and Joshua, who said, “Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are able to overcome it,” did enter the promised land.

Distrust and faint-heartedness are as displeasing to God now as then. His promises are abundant. Listen to a few: “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:15, 16). “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him” (James 1: 5). God does not upbraid us, does not taunt us with our weakness. A child has not the strength of a man, and no father will ridicule his infant child because of its weakness. Its very helplessness appeals to his sympathy. So God says, “Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust” (Psalm 103:13, 14). But it is necessary to “ask in faith, nothing wavering,” for “without faith it is impossible to please him” (James 1:6; Hebrews 11:6). Again we are exhorted: “Be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5). And yet again, “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32). One more passage ought forever to stop all our murmurings and doubtings: “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13). Read also Hebrews 2:18; 12:1–4; 13:8; Philippians 4:4, 13, and especially Psalm 139:17, 18, and Lamentations 3:22–33.

Do we really believe these promises? If we did, would we not appropriate them to ourselves? We read them, and say we believe them, and yet to very many they seem vague and unreal. But if they are to be of any benefit to us we must consider them as real, and make our requests accordingly. Our belief is measured by our actions, not by our words. Is it not as much infidelity to disbelieve a promise that God has given as it is to disbelieve any other portion of His word? Let us take heed lest there be found in any of us “an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.”

But ought we not to be sensible of our weakness? Certainly; the more so the better. But we are not to think of it in such a way as to become discouraged. There are two ways of looking at our own frailties: One is to brood over them, lose sight of God’s willingness to help, and become discouraged. This pleases Satan. If we are prone to doubt and become faint-hearted, he will assist us to see more lions in the way than really exist. And such a course is really a form of selfishness. The individual becomes so intensely self-conscious that he can take cognizance of nothing else. He thinks of himself so much that he loses sight of Christ. He imagines that he himself must do the great work that is to be done. After a few attempts show him the impossibility of it, he becomes discouraged. Another way to consider them is in the light of the promises of God. When we do this we have every reason to be encouraged, and God is pleased with us. The more we distrust ourselves while trusting God, the stronger we will be, for God has said: “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” And in view of this, Paul was led to say: “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong” (2 Corinthians 12:9, 10). No man ever had more trials than Paul had, or felt less confidence in himself; but he believed God’s promises, and it was no vain boast for him to say: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

Thus it was with Caleb and Joshua. It was not vain self-confidence which led them to say, “We are well able to overcome it.” Hear them: “If the Lord delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey. Only rebel not ye against the Lord, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the Lord is with us: fear them not” (Numbers 14:8, 9). So the Lord is with us; His promises are multiplied to us. We have the accumulated proofs of His power and goodness through thousands of years past. It is far more sinful for us to distrust God now, than it was for ancient Israel. Then “let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised).”