1. “Then they journeyed from Mount Hor by the Way of the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; and the soul of the people became very discouraged on the way. And the people spoke against God and against Moses: ‘Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? …’”

2. “‘…For there is no food and no water, and our soul loathes this worthless bread.’ So the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and many of the people of Israel died. Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, ‘We have sinned, for we have…’”

3. “‘…spoken against the LORD and against you; pray to the LORD that He take away the serpents from us.’ So Moses prayed for the people. Then the LORD said to Moses, "Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and it shall be that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live.’…”

4. “So Moses made a bronze serpent, and put it on a pole; and so it was, if a serpent had bitten anyone, when he looked at the bronze serpent, he lived” (Numbers 21:4-9). “Discouraged on the way” (21:4)

5. Discouragement I. Causes of Discouragement. A. Double-Mindedness (Numbers 11:4-6; 14:3,4; James 1:5-8; 4:7,8). B. Fear (Deuteronomy 1:19-21;1:26-28). C. Open Criticism, Mockery, Persecution (1 Peter 2:19)

6. Old Warriors Tell me why So often we see Young men fight the wars Old men dream? The truth is With each drawing of the sword Old warriors hold memories Of wounds taken long before.

7. I. Causes of Discouragement. D. Physical Affliction, Fatigue (2 Cor. 12:7-10; Galatians 4:13-15; Romans 5:3-5). E. Lack of Maturity (Heb. 5:12-6:3) F. Unfruitful Labors (1 Corinthians 3:5-7; Acts 19:7; Isaiah 55:10,11; I Corinthians 15:58). Discouragement

8. II. What Not to do When Discouraged. A. Don’t quit assembling with the church. (Hebrews 10:23-27). B. Don’t blame others.  Preachers, brethren, problems.  Are we here to please God or ourselves? C. Don’t plunge back into the world. (Hebrews 10:26-27). Discouragement

9. III. What to do When Discouraged. A. Pray (Philippians 4:6,7). B. Look to brethren for help (James 5:16). C. Feed upon God’s word (Hebrews 4:12,13). D. Put things in perspective (Hebrews 12:1-3). Discouragement

10. “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we may boldly say: ‘The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?’” (Hebrews 13:5,6).