Never Be Discouraged, for the Lord Has Mercy and Compassion for Us

"Hear my prayer, O Lord; let my cry for help come to you. Do not hide your face from me when I am in distress. Turn your ear to me; when I call, answer me quickly.... But you, O Lord, sit enthroned forever; your renown endures through all generations. You will arise and have compassion on Zion, for it is time to show favor to her; the appointed time has come.... For the Lord will rebuild Zion, and appear in his glory. He will respond to the prayer of the destitute; he will not despise their plea." Ps. 102:1, 2, 12, 13, 16, 17.

"Even in this world of sorrow, disappointment, and sin the Lord desires us to be cheerful, and strong in His strength....

"The bright and cheerful side of our religion will be represented by all who are daily consecrated to God. We should not dishonor God by the mournful relation of trials that appear grevious. All trials that are received as educators will produce joy." 6T 365.

"God desires His obedient children to claim His blessing and to come before Him with praise and thanksgiving. God is the fountain of life and power. He can make the wilderness a fruitful field for the people that keep His commandments, for this is for the glory of His name. He has done for His chosen people that which should inspire every heart with thanksgiving, and it grieves Him that so little praise is offered. He desires to have a stronger expression from His people, showing that they know they have reason for joy and gladness." 6T 364.

"The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.... He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust." Psalms 103:8-14.

"Nothing is apparently more helpless, yet really more invincible, than the soul that feels its nothingness and relies wholly on the merits of the Savior. By prayer, by the study of His word, by faith in His abiding presence, the weakest of human beings may live in contact with the living Christ, and He will hold them by a hand that will never let go." MH 182.

"God's tenderest care is exercised over us. He pities us in our weakness and in our sorrow. We may be despondent, even despairing; the heavy clouds of affliction may be over us; but there is light ahead. Beyond the gloom is a sympathetic, compassionate Friend, one who does not willingly grieve or afflict the children of men." IHP 14.

"Our lives may seem a tangle, but as we commit ourselves to the wise Master Worker, He will bring out the pattern of life and character that will be to His own glory." DA 331.