Where Are We?

Where can we go up? Our brethren have discouraged our hearts, saying, “The people are greater and taller than we; the cities are great and fortified up to heaven; moreover we have seen the sons of the Anakim there.” ’ Deuteronomy 1:28

Our brethren have discouraged our hearts... Does that stick out from that verse or what? How often have good ideas died because the voice of discouragement raised itself to be heard? How many times have you felt the anointing presence of the Holy Spirit on the pathway to blessing only to get knocked right off the way by a discouraging blow? We are so easily prone to being discouraged and it bloody well doesn't help when it is our brethren doing the discouraging! Where are we?

We don't want to be left discouraged on the shores of despair. Worse than that is to be that discouraging brother or sister who prevents the success of the effort. How terrible to be among those who stopped the children of Israel from entering the Promised Land. It is easy to point out the challenges, much more difficult to be like Joshua and Caleb who among the 12 scouts stood up to say, "We can do this thing!" Of course, they didn't say it without mentioning the One who gives us the strength of faith to get it done.

Paul said, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Discouragement is going to come at us in underhanded ways by the whispering of the worldly ones, or in very overhanded ways by that challenge that knocks us right off the path. Praise God for the strength to get up again. Yes, in this discouraging world that good idea cannot be done, but we are not of this world when we live in Christ and He in us. So, like Paul we stand up and say, "In Christ, I can do this thing!"

Grace and peace to you in Christ Jesus, 'cuz that's where we are!

Bucky