Don’t Allow Discouragement

MEMORISE:

“And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.” – (1 Samuel 30:6)

READ: NUMBERS 11:4-17 (KJV)

4 And the mixt multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat?

5 We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick:

6 But now our soul is dried away: there is nothing at all, beside this manna, before our eyes.

7 And the manna was as coriander seed, and the colour thereof as the colour of bdellium.

8 And the people went about, and gathered it, and ground it in mills, or beat it in a mortar, and baked it in pans, and made cakes of it: and the taste of it was as the taste of fresh oil.

9 And when the dew fell upon the camp in the night, the manna fell upon it.

10 Then Moses heard the people weep throughout their families, every man in the door of his tent: and the anger of the LORD was kindled greatly; Moses also was displeased.

11 And Moses said unto the LORD, Wherefore hast thou afflicted thy servant? and wherefore have I not found favour in thy sight, that thou layest the burden of all this people upon me?

12 Have I conceived all this people? have I begotten them, that thou shouldest say unto me, Carry them in thy bosom, as a nursing father beareth the sucking child, unto the land which thou swarest unto their fathers?

13 Whence should I have flesh to give unto all this people? for they weep unto me, saying, Give us flesh, that we may eat.

14 I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me.

15 And if thou deal thus with me, kill me, I pray thee, out of hand, if I have found favour in thy sight; and let me not see my wretchedness.

16 And the LORD said unto Moses, Gather unto me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be the elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them unto the tabernacle of the congregation, that they may stand there with thee.

17 And I will come down and talk with thee there: and I will take of the spirit which is upon thee, and will put it upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear it not thyself alone.

MESSAGE:

In today’s Bible reading, the Israelites were murmuring and weeping, saying, “We want meat; we are tired of eating manna.” They had been murmuring consistently for 40 years, and Moses had been coping, but this time around, he told God, “I didn’t give birth to these people. Why are You asking me to carry their burden? Kill me because I’m tired of all this.” God replied, “Since you say the burden is too much, get me 70 men, and I’ll take of the spirit on you and put it on them.”

When you think about the fact that the anointing upon Moses was divided by 70, you’ll realise that the new Moses was less anointed than the previous one. Because of this, not long after that, in Numbers 20:7-12, the man God Himself described as the meekest man on the earth (Numbers 12:3) erupted in anger. The anointing that had allowed him to cope for 40 years had been depleted due to his words during a time of discouragement. Discouragement can make people say things that would limit them in life and negatively impact their destiny.

Elijah also allowed his words in a time of discouragement to put an abrupt end to his ministry. After calling down fire on Mount Carmel, Jezebel threatened him, and he fled. He became so discouraged as he ran away that he asked God to kill him. Thankfully, God didn’t fulfil his wish; instead, He sent an angel to feed him (1 Kings 19:1-8). Afterwards, however, He gave him his last assignment to anoint Jehu, Hazael, and Elisha, his replacement (1 Kings 19:15-16). His ministry ended when he allowed discouragement to make him say the wrong things. John the Baptist also got so discouraged that he began to doubt everything he had earlier declared. He had declared concerning Jesus, “Behold the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). Yet, he was the same person who sent his disciples to ask Jesus, “Are you the One to come or should we look for another?” (Luke 7:19-20). Not long after that, he was beheaded (Luke 9:7-9).

Beloved, while you cannot stop discouraging circumstances from happening, you can choose how to respond to them. Like David, you can encourage yourself in the Lord, as seen in today’s memory verse. God is able to keep you from falling (Jude 1:24). He is also able to give you a mighty turnaround, but you must put your trust in Him. He is more than able to see you through any discouraging circumstances that may come your way.

KEY POINT:

Do not allow discouragement to make you say the wrong things.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: JEREMIAH 22-24

AUTHOR PASTOR E A ADEBOYE

Thank You Jesus,

Salvation Prayers

If you don’t Know Jesus as your personal Lord and Saviour and would like to accept him into your life as your personal Lord and Saviour, Please say this prayer:

Father, I know that I have broken your laws and my sins have separated me from You. I am truly sorry, and now I want to turn away from my past sinful life toward You. Please forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again. I believe that Your son, Jesus Christ died for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer. I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Please send Your Holy Spirit to help me obey You, and to do Your Will for the rest of my life. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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