When the difficulties of this world seem too great, the cost of following Jesus too high, and your strength and ability too weak, remember Jesus Christ, who died for your sins, rose victoriously over death, and is coming again. Remember that the glory of salvation in Jesus makes all the costs and burdens of ministry worth it.

How can you keep Jesus at the forefront of your mind and heart when difficult moments come? How can you avoid the temptation to quit when you are suffering, when the costs of following Jesus are great, or when you find yourself discouraged? From this passage, Pastor Ben Smith encourages you to endure by remembering Jesus in moments of suffering, when you are counting the cost of following Jesus, and when you are discouraged.

When hard times come, many who once professed the gospel will fall away. In 2 Timothy 1:15-18, Paul speaks frankly with Timothy, not to be surprised when some fall away but to receive the good blessing of the ministry of those who are faithful.

Like Timothy, you may be discouraged today as you observe many people falling away from the faith. How can you guard your heart against discouragement when it seems many are falling away from the gospel? This passage teaches three truths that encourage the church in days of great unfaithfulness.

The greater context of chapter 40 is a call to behold the glory of God (vs. 9) and know (vs. 21, 28) that God stands alone in His glory and power, and in Him alone is hope. Here is the whole sermon in one sentence: If you turn your attention to God, the problems of this world become small, but if you give your attention only to the problems of this world, they will overwhelm you. Through the prophet Isaiah, God is calling His people to look and see and behold His glory.