MEMORISE: ‘Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.’ (Prov. 13:12)
READ: Number 13: 32-33

Discouragement is the loss of hope, courage or faith in something. If care is not taken, the one Satan attacks with this arrow may soon begin to backslide. Discouragement is a weapon so potent that it has no respect for anyone. Great men of God in the past have fallen because of it. When does it come?

‘Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire commeth, it is a tree of life’ (Prov. 13:12).

When you are trusting God for a particular thing and it seems nothing is happening, discouragement can set in. sometimes, you think you are making headway after all. Circumstances appear to be moving in your favour: then suddenly, what you thought you had gained disappears into oblivion! You are downed by the blow of Satan. But don’t give up. Your miracle is on the way!

Also, you may be discouraged that you are serving God faithfully, keeping away from sin, paying your tithes and sowing seed, but it appears you are not prospering and the compromising believers and unbelievers around you are all making it. Satan will tell you that the train is leaving you behind and convince you to accept his short cuts to success or wealth, like all the others.

‘But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked’ (Ps 73: 2-3).

Those accepting Satan’s short cuts only appear to be successful. It is a deception. It will last only for a while. Even when it appears durable, it will be replete with sorrow. But the blessing that comes from God may take some times, but it will be without sorrow. It will give you true joy. However long it may take, wait for it. At the end, those you felt like envying will end up envying you. What is chaff to the wheat? Never envy any wealthy person. A wealthy man who lacks Christ is indeed very poor and should be pitied. Satan can destroy him and his riches at will. Never give up your hope for that blessing. You may just be a step away. Wait an receive your blessing today.

ACTION POINT
Reject every arrow of discouragement fired at you.
Declare that, according to Jeremiah 31: 17, your end shall be glorious.