Discouragement

Exod 6:8-9 Distinctiveness Discouragement I am Yahweh, and I will bring you out from under the yoke, I will free you from being slaves, I will redeem you, I will take you as my own, I will be your God, I will bring you to the land I swore, and I will give it to you as a possession. I am Yahweh (Exod 6:6-8). The Hebrew words used in verse 9 actually say, “they could not listen to Moses due to shortness of spirit …” Have you ever been so emotionally distraught that you were unable to hear God’s good promises for you? From “Dictionary.com,” discouragement means – a loss of confidence or enthusiasm; dispiritedness; an attempt to prevent something by showing disapproval or creating difficulties, a deterrent. I. Moved Exod 6:9 A. A huge shift from worship to despondency occurred (Exod 4:29-31). 1 It is important to understand that the elder’s initial response (v. 30). B. We are told that the elders could listen “because of their discouragement and cruel bondage” (Exod 6:9). C. Because, when Pharaoh and his army chased the nation of Israel after they were set freed, we get a glimpse of their true attitude and heart – “Didn't we say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians?’” (Exod 14:12). II. Wrong Attitude A. Through a decision to live where you are (Exod 14:12). “Didn't we say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians?’ It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians.” B. Allowing another believer’s unbelief to affect you (Num 32:8-9) “This is what your fathers did when I sent them from Kadesh Barnea to look over the land. 9 After they went up to the Valley of Eshcol and viewed the land, they discouraged the Israelites from entering the land the LORD had given them.” 1 Others who oppose the work of God in you and for you (Ezra 4:4). “Then the peoples around them set out to discourage the people of Judah and make them afraid to go on building.” 2 A deceitful tongue can crush your spirit resulting in discouragement (Prov 15:4). “The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.” C. Fear not only robs believer’s but causes discouragement (Duet 1:21, 28-32). “See, the LORD your God has given you the land. Go up and take possession of it as the LORD, the God of your fathers, told you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” “Where can we go? Our brothers have made us lose heart. They say, ‘The people are stronger and taller than we are; the cities are large, with walls up to the sky. We even saw the Anakites there.’ 29 Then I said to you, ‘Do not be terrified; do not be afraid of them. 30 The LORD your God, who is going before you, will fight for you, as he did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes, 31 and in the desert. There you saw how the LORD your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place.’ 32 In spite of this, you did not trust in the LORD your God.” 1 It is interesting to see how fear is associated with discouragement (Josh 1:9; 8:1; 10:25). “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” D. Sufferings and hardships can produce discouragement (Eph 3:13). E. Discouragement can produce a crushed spirit (Prov 15:13; 17:22). “A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.” “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” 1 Discouragement can give way to bitterness (1Sam 1:10). “In bitterness of soul Hannah wept much and prayed to the LORD.” 2 There is a danger if bitterness gains a hold on a believer’s life (Heb 12:14-15). “Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. 15. See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.” Close: Have you faced disappointment?