Memorize: be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 1 Peter 5:8
Devotional Reading: 1 Kings 19:1-18
Discouragement is usually defined as a lack of courage, a state of mind which is marked by fear of failure and loss of hope. Discouragement is one of the deadly weapons commonly used by the devil to keep children of God from fulfilling their purpose. Satan used it against the Israelites to prevent them from entering Canaan because they were intimidated by the circumstances surrounding their conquering the Land. The Canaanite cities were very large, well fortified, and seemingly undefeatable. These caused the heart of the Israelites to melt within them to the extent that they lost faith in the Word of God, and could not act on the promises of God.
Discouragement is failure to live by faith because it usually leads to doubt, and an inability to view circumstances around us from a divine perspective. Discouragement is therefore a sinful state of mind that is unable to adjust to disappointments and unfavourable circumstances in line with the Word of God, and His promises, we must remember that delay is not denial. It is important to note that discouragement is a powerful weapon of intimidation in the hands of the devil. It usually comes whenever a person has an important objective to achieve, oftentimes, it comes at the brink of breakthrough.
For example, Israel had an objective given to them by God; the walls of Jerusalem were to be rebuilt. As the people embarked on the project with vigour and determination, they were faced with opposition from enemies and even fellow Jews. The situation became intimidating to the point of demoralisation, as recorded in Nehemiah 4:10-23. At a point, some of the workers became discouraged while the wall was yet half finished, then the opposition intensified their attack using fear and intimidation as chief weapons. All these tactics were masterminded by the devil to make it impossible for the Jews to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem at that time.
May be you too are experiencing discouragement with the project in your hands or the circumstances surrounding you, the almighty God will lift you up and encourage you today in the name of Jesus. Hold on and don’t give up, God will make a way for you.
In 1 peter 5:8-9; the Bible admonishes us to be sober, vigilant, and watchful, always ready to resist and confront anyone that may want to weaken our hands from doing whatever assignment the Lord has committed to us. I pray that all of us will never fall for discouragement regardless of the fearful situations and intimidating circumstances around us in Jesus name.
i pray that God will give you courage to stand against discouragement in the name of Jesus. Only the courageous wins the battle. Be COURAGEOUS!
Prayer point: O LORD, please give me an enduring courage in Jesus name
Key Dose: Remember that God hath not given us the Spirit of fear, but of power, and of love and of a sound mind.
Pastor James Ademuyiwa
Senior Pastor (IHPCT)
