“… and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way.” Num 21:4b
This passage is followed by the account of the fiery serpents, Moses’ brass serpent, and the message “Look and Live” (now been preached twice in the month at LIBC).
Discouragement comes when we had hope of better things: when we have tried and failed, when we’ve been let down, or when things are harder than we thought they would be.
Jesus never promised an easy way, in fact He said that we should carry our cross when following Him. However, He did promise not to leave us alone. -PB