Our God is a God of hope. Satan, as always taking the opposite ground, is the chief discourager. God discourages us only as to our own condition and prospects and [178] ability to retrieve ourselves, so that we may turn wholly to him for help and guidance. But Satan does not reveal himself as the god of discouragement until he has lured us into deserts and swamps by means of false hopes. Then he leaves us helpless and hopeless. God says: "Hear and turn: be of good courage; him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." But Satan's word is: "There is no use." God supports the weak and faint-hearted with loving encouragement, warning, and assuring promises. The devil tramples them down with gloom and pessimism and curses. He misrepresents God; he denies God's mercy and love and goodness, that men may grow reckless and desperate. To which do you listen?

[TAG 178-179]