Discouragement

‘They hired counsellors to work against them and frustrate their plans…’ Ezra 4.5

The background to this verse is that the people had just started to focus on the work of rebuilding the walls of the temple when they met with opposition. It is interesting to note that this opposition did not come in the form of a physical attack but began in the subtle area of discouragement. The Message Bible speaks of the attempt to ‘sap their resolve’. It may have been tough for the workers at the time but hearing about their difficulty is encouraging for us, because often the battles we have to fight involve standing up to discouragement.

The word ‘discouragement’ features quite a few times in the Bible, usually in the form of a command about not being discouraged. If this is what we are commanded, then it must be possible for us to obey and we do not have to listen to the inner voices that are so quick to sap our resolve.

The antidote to discouragement is first and foremost to remember who you are, a temple of the Holy Spirit, in whom he is pleased to dwell and in whom he takes such great pleasure. Secondly, remember that God is for you (Romans 8.31), so whatever other voices are seeking to discourage you, God is not! He is with you, building you up and offering encouragement.

Take a few moments to dwell on these words: ‘God, you are for me.’

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