Nehemiah 4:6-10. So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work. But it came to pass, that when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and the Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites, heard that the walls of Jerusalem were made up, and that the breaches began to be stopped, then they were very wroth, And conspired all of them together to come and to fight against Jerusalem, and to hinder it. Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them. And Judah said, The strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed, and there is much rubbish; so that we are not able to build the wall.
Discouragement is one of life’s most deadly diseases. It’s universal and recurring but, thank God, it can be cured. What are the causes of discouragement? There’s the problem of fatigue. People become worn out. In this story from Nehemiah, God’s people were worn out and weighed down. When you follow the Lord, you will face tough times. Serving the Lord Jesus Christ is not always glamorous. You can’t build without stones, but those stones sometimes are buried in rubbish. But you can’t build on rubbish, either. It’s not going to be all easy. If the devil cannot laugh you out of service to the Lord Jesus Christ in your personal and corporate life, he will try to discourage you. He’ll come when the job is half done and say, “It can’t be done! You are worn out. You are weighed down. Give up!” But with Jesus, we can persevere. What are some things that discourage you from moving forward in your faith? What is something God has called you to do that you haven’t followed through with? Encourage your pastors and pray God would protect them from discouragement.
This devotional was written by Pastor/teacher Adrian Rogers. The Copyright owner is Love Worth Finding. Used with written permission. You may contact lwf.org and be blessed directly and freely by Biblical teaching.
