Dear Friends,

READ ISAIAH 36:1 THROUGH 38:22

In the sports world, when an opponent speaks rudely regarding the opposite team, it is called “trash talk.” The intent is to destroy the morale of their competitor—to discourage them.

Discouragement is one of Satan’s most effective battle tactics in his war against God’s children. He was Judah’s ancient enemy. He is the believer’s enemy today. Not much has changed. He continues to use this strategy because it is effective.

The Assyrian king and his underlings used their own form of trash talk to discourage King Hezekiah and all the other Israelites in Jerusalem. But God had the last word to the Assyrian king.

“Because you rage against me and because your insolence has reached my ears, I will put my hook in your nose and my bit in your mouth, and I will make you return by the way you came” (Isaiah 37:29).

When you feel beaten down by Satan’s trash talk, follow the example of King Hezekiah. Spread Satan’s discouraging message out before God, and ask God to respond to the deceiver’s tactics.

Challenge for Today: Don’t be discouraged!