FAITHFULWORD.ORG | TEACHINGS

I Samuel 30:6; Joshua 1:3-9; Luke 18:1-8; Romans 4:18-25; II Corinthians 4:1-7, 16; Galatians 6:9, 10; Hebrews 12:1-3; 11:1-4; 33-40; Psalm 37:4-9; Proverbs 3:5-7

Every person with a Godly vision will face opportunities to become discouraged as he or she reaches for the fulfilling of that vision. Yet we must not lose heart. Discouragement enters when we begin evaluating our lives based upon information from the senses instead of the promise that God will help us acquire the vision He placed in our hearts.

God gave David a vision that he would be the King of Israel. But many years passed before that occurred. At a time when David was greatly distressed, the scriptures declare that he encouraged himself in the Lord his God. Encourage means to take courage. David’s courage came from God. When God commanded Joshua to go into the promised land, He told him three times to be “strong and of a good courage.” Courage does not come from a pseudo-sense of security. We are not to be discouraged but must have trust in God because what He says He will do, He will perform. This is true in our lives, whether it be a personal vision of transformation, or an entrepreneurial idea.

In Luke, Jesus teaches his disciples the parable of the widow woman and the unjust judge. The point of the parable is that men should pray, and to not faint. Not to faint can also be translated, “not to lose heart.” Romans records how Abraham considered his circumstances (his and Sarah’s age) but relied instead on the promise of God rather than the laws of nature. He considered the age of his and Sarah’s bodies but did not base his faith upon it.

We are not to lose heart. Every believer has been given the ministry of reconciliation and is an ambassador of the Lord Jesus Christ. We will be tempted to get discouraged when others do not accept what we have to say, but because we know the Word of God, we do not have to lose heart. God has commissioned us to do this. Just because someone rejects the gospel, we do not have to be discouraged but can instead encourage ourselves in the Lord our God.

Galatians declares we are not to be weary in well doing. The promise of God is that in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Hebrews 11 lists a number of people who had great courage, maintained their faith and did not lose heart. We can learn from their examples and lay aside the things that distract us and run with patience the race set before us. Let us not let discouragement water down the fire in our hearts. Let us rather have great courage and trust toward God!