Do you ever get discouraged? Perhaps it’s the high price of gasoline, too much homework, no compliments from your boss, or some other thing that causes you to feel this way. For some it’s a boyfriend or girlfriend breaking up with them. For others it’s a spouse of several years leaving, or not having a job. Whatever it is, we all get discouraged at some point in time.
I get discouraged when I look around at the apathy found in many of today’s churches. I’m not talking about any one particular church…it seems to be a national epidemic.
It’s ok for me to feel that way for a moment, but that “feeling” can easily become “the place where I reside.” Letting that happen is unscriptural, it’s unhealthy. The Bible says in Deuteronomy 1:21 (KJV),
Behold, the LORD thy God hath set the land before thee: go up and possess it, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath said unto thee; fear not, neither be discouraged.
Problems should get our attention, but not our devotion. Your boyfriend left you. Ok, you had your moment of sadness, but don’t be discouraged. Why not?
Because God tells us not to be afraid or discouraged. He tells us why it won’t be a problem in Deuteronomy 31:6 (NKJV),
Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.
Do you believe that? Do you believe that the God who Created the Universe, who helped the Israelites safely cross the Red Sea while destroying Egypt’s armies, who sent His only Son do die for your sin…that God is the One who goes with you into and out of all your problems. He promises not to leave you and not to forsake you. Your job is simply to trust and obey.
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
SEEK FIRST THE
