GOD: AN ENCOURAGER
Memorise: I will hear what God the LORD will
speak: for he will speak peace unto his people,
and to his saints: but let them not turn again to
folly. Psalm 85:8
Read: Psalm 85:7-9, 7 Shew us thy mercy, O LORD,
and grant us thy salvation.
8 I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he
will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints:
but let them not turn again to folly.
9 Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him;
that glory may dwell in our land.
Bible in one year: Exodus 22:16-24:18, Romans
11:1-24
MESSAGE
“Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he
shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the
LORD.”
Psalm 27:14
After you have suffered a major loss, or when
everything around you appears gloomy and bleak,
turn your focus on the Lord. When those you look
up to fail you, look up to God. He is the only One
who will never fail you. Have your friends in the
Christian race turned their backs on God? Are you
becoming discouraged and wondering whether to
continue with Christ or to join your backslidden
friends? Focus on Christ and He will sustain you.
Has your pastor done something so painful to you,
to the extent that you are thinking of either leaving
the church or going back into the world? Look up to
Jesus! Remember, the Christian race
accommodates everyone who has repented, but it
is still a very personal race. If your friend or pastor
chooses to go to Hell, must you go with them? No!
Never be discouraged from doing the work that God
has assigned to you, irrespective of contrary
pressures from human and demonic forces.
Several years ago, just after I became a pastor in
the Redeemed Christian Church of God, there was a
misunderstanding among the ministers of the
church. Some people I highly respected
disappointed me, so much so that I became
depressed and discouraged. As I returned from the
headquarters of the church at Ebute-Metta, to the
University of Lagos where I was lecturing, a traffic
warden stopped my car at St. Agnes junction. While
I was waiting, I said to myself, “If this is what they
call the gospel, and it is not taking me forward, then
I will go back to where I am coming from.” Almost
immediately, the Lord spoke to me saying “Son,
why are you so sad?” My reply was “Lord, You know
all things. You saw all that happened.” Then He said
“True, this fellow disappointed you, but have I ever
disappointed you?” With that word, courage, hope
and joy flooded my heart, and I moved from the
valley to the mountain top. I went my way, singing
“I have a God who never fails”. God is your greatest
antidote to discouragement. Look up to Him and He
will send you the right words that will terminate
sorrow and discouragement in you. Are you
disheartened? Feed on God’s word, remember His
promises and recall how He has answered your
prayers in the past. After doing all these, place your
hope and trust in Him.
Action point
When God encourages you, no discouragement
can hold you back. Ask for His encouragement
today.
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