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 (KJV)
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
“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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