Discouragement

The last month or two has been a real struggle and I have been dealing with discouragement to an extent which I have never experienced before.  Last night I was really being bombarded with it and this passage just "happened" to my devotions for the day.

Isaiah 42:5-12

Thus says God the Lord, who created the heavens and stretched them out,

who spread out the earth and its offspring,

who gives breath to the people on it,

and spirit to those who walk in it,

"I am the Lord, I have called you in rightousness,

I will also hold you by the hand and watch over you,

and I will appoint you as a covenant to the people,

as a light to the nations,

To open blind eyes,

to bring out prisoners from the dungeon

and those who dwell in darkness from the prison.

I am the Lord, that is My name;

I will not give My glory to another,

nor My praise to graven images.

Behold, the former things have come to pass,

now I declare new things;

Before they spring forth I proclaim them to you."

Sing to the Lord a new song, 

Sing His praise from the end of the earth!

You who go down to the sea, and all that is in it.

You islands, and those who dwell on them.

Let the wilderness and its cities lift up their voices, 

the settlements where Kedar inhabits.

Let the inhabitants of Sela sing aloud, 

Let them shout for joy from the tops of mountains.

Let them give glory to the Lord

and declare His praise in the coastlands.