David said to himself, "One of these days Saul will kill me. The best thing for me to do is to escape to Philistia. Then Saul will give up looking for me in Israel, and I will be safe."

Now it's your turn to be in trouble, and you are too stunned to face it.

Don't you know? Haven't you heard? The LORD is the everlasting God; he created all the world. He never grows tired or weary. No one understands his thoughts.

Even those who are young grow weak; young people can fall exhausted.

(His disciples had gone into town to buy food.)

God in his mercy has given us this work to do, and so we do not become discouraged.

I beg you, then, not to be discouraged because I am suffering for you; it is all for your benefit.

Think of what he went through; how he put up with so much hatred from sinners! So do not let yourselves become discouraged and give up.

Have you forgotten the encouraging words which God speaks to you as his children? "My child, pay attention when the Lord corrects you, and do not be discouraged when he rebukes you.

You are patient, you have suffered for my sake, and you have not given up.

I know where you live, there where Satan has his throne. You are true to me, and you did not abandon your faith in me even during the time when Antipas, my faithful witness, was killed there where Satan lives.