Discouragement Is Real

So Moses told the people of Israel what the Lord had said, but they refused to listen anymore. They had become too discouraged by the brutality of their slavery. [Exodus 6.9]

Tough circumstances require tough commitment. Although discouragement is the natural result of tough circumstances, it serves a warning sign about our next steps!

The Israelites became weary of and discouraged by the brutality of their slavery. At first they were receptive of Moses' message of deliverance, but as events unfolded and oppression grew more intense, the Israelites became discouraged.

It really doesn't seem like much of a "choice" to become discouraged, but rather a response to difficulties. However, as the verse above indicates, at some point the people "refused to listen anymore" - in other words, they 'chose' to stop listening. What did they 'stop listening' to? To God's Word spoken through Moses and Aaron!

Moses and Aaron continued to declare that deliverance was coming, but Israel chose instead to believe it was not because of their discouragement - because of the delay in seeing what they wanted to see. 

Discouragement is real. But what we do with discouragement is critical. Either we allow it to point us back to 'the Word' or we allow it to make us disobedient. Israel incorrectly chose the latter.

This hits me between the eyes today.

If God has spoken to us regarding any direction in life, it may or may not manifest immediately. Instead, we may face difficulties and hardships in the process. We are, and always will be, faced with the ongoing decision to believe and obey in the 'unfolding of events' or to unwisely act on our discouragement and disobey. The key is to keep listening to what God is saying - whether it is specific or general - we must make God's Word our only source of encouragement (because encouragement that comes from any other source will be minimal and short-lived at best).

Not a one of us is without direction as long as the Bible exists! In It God has given specific instructions for how to please Him - in other words, no matter our life path or circumstances, it is never wrong to walk by faith. What I am saying is that we don't necessarily need a 'burning bush' experience to obey God. True believers have God's Holy Spirit inside and we can trust He will guide us in every circumstance. However, we must be faithful to believe even in the midst of negative circumstances and discouragement.

The Bible says:

But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. [Isaiah 40.31]

Father, I receive Your encouragement today. Even though I remain 'fuzzy on the details' I am convinced that You are working in my circumstances and that Your deliverance will come.