Don’t Be Discouraged

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Thursday February 9, 2017

Topic: Don’t Be Discouraged

Text: Deuteronomy 1:21

Discouragement comes to us on daily basis in the course of our desire to fulfil our life’s dream. When we don’t have discouragement or opposition it will seem as if we are on the wrong part towards realization of our set goals. You may ask, why do people usually discourage us? People discourage us because of the fear they have concerning the risks we undertake in attaining our goals. Some do it due to lack of understanding of your dream. Some do it just to threaten you. While some do it as a result of envy and jealousy.

As part of Moses’ farewell speech to the Israelites at Kadesh-barnea, he shows them how near they were to a happy settlement in Canaan and encouraged them to complete the journey. So many people have missed out in their blessings because they gave up at almost the end of their journey or race. If we have the vision of what will be the result of our set goals, nothing will discourage us. Jesus Christ our example endured all forms of abuse, rejection, suffering and even death on the Cross of Calvary because of the joy set before Him (Heb. 12:2). If Christ suffered because He was looking forward to the joy of heaven, why should we be discouraged because we are suffering for the sake of our salvation?

Why are you discouraged on going ahead with that project, etc? Is it because of fear, threats, envy, jealousy or abandonment by loved ones? Beloved, you can make it. A little effort more is all you need to be there. Give it a trial.

Food for thought: Discouragement had denied many people their blessings when they were almost at the line to embrace the tape.

Memory verse: Deuteronomy 1 verse 21

Prayer: God, remove discouragement from my heart and grant me the spirit of faith, boldness and sound mind.

Don’t Be Easily Discouraged

My Daily Covenant with God Devotional 
Devotion for Monday January 9, 2017 
Topic: Don’t Be Easily Discouraged
Text: Exodus 14:10–12 
Most times we are easily discouraged by what we hear, see or read. For this reason, we must beware of what we watch, read or hear. Some of the stories we hear come with fear and intimidation that can make us loose faith. The things we watch; listen to or read should be things that build our faith and not the ones that can demoralize and put fear into us. This is one problem I have with some present day preachers who emphasis are more on what they enemies can do or have done more than what Jesus Christ has done for us and will still do. 
The Israelites were quick to complain. There was nothing they did not complain about ranging from water, food, leadership, etc. Having seen the plagues God meted out on Egyptians before they left, that would have strengthened their faith, unfortunately, it wasn’t so. Instead they doubted every word of God that Moses brought to them. 
An impatient man cannot wait for God’s appointed time and that was the case here. The Israelites were discouraged and their hearts melted because they saw the rage and speed at which the Egyptians were coming, and they forgot that God controls the affairs of men. There are times when we face challenges and life threatening issues that we lose focus on God. Some people will complain and grumble that they were better off being unbelievers. Such act is a first degree of distrust and lack of confidence in God. He is able to protect, provide and fight our battles. There are some who are easily discouraged by lack of food, money, job, prospective spouse, etc. These are temporal affliction the devil uses to distract us. We should not give in to them. No matter the situation we may find ourselves, let us know that our God is able to protect, provide and fight for us.
Food for Thought: “History has demonstrated that most notable winners usually encounter heartbreaking obstacles before they triumphed. They won because they refused to be discouraged by their defeat” – B. C. Forbes. 
Memory verse: Exodus 14 verse 12 - Is not this what we said to you in Egypt: ‘Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness (ESV).
Prayer: Grant, O Lord, that I will I will not distrust you or lose confidence in you in Jesus name.