In the Meantime

"We must encourage ourselves in the meantime."

IT FELT LIKE the same ol' thing I'd overcome before, only I didn't expect to be back here, and so I swigged yet another cup of discouragement. Tasted like last year's swill, too, the bottom of the glass coated with debris.

I wonder which time discouraged David the most? He's running from Saul again, when the prophet, years ago, had called him king. Elisha got discouraged and afraid of Jezebel. Here, he'd seen fire fall from heaven in a miraculous manner, and had finished off the prophets of Baal, yet one threat, "I'll get you my pretty ..." and he's outta there. Runs until he's miles from anywhere and locked up in a cave. Which is where David spent his time, in a cave with a bunch of ragtag men. Some army God's given him. Then King Saul actually walks right into one, with no idea he's practically on top of David, and David squanders the chance to be free. Except killing the King is a bad idea and he knows it. Better to do as God directs and wait on His timing.

Oh, gees. Are we back to that, Suzanne?

Yes, and unfortunately, sometimes God is s-l-o-w. Longsuffering, I mean. The word is longsuffering, which sounds so much more spiritual than admitting we are impatient and just want all this to be over. I've been there, standing in the same closet, staring at the same costume. Or it felt that way.

“This is My command: be strong and courageous. Never be afraid or discouraged because I am your God, the Eternal One, and I will remain with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9 VOICE)

God does not want us hopeless. Hopelessness breeds despair and depression. It causes us to give up, and He isn't a give-up God. He waited thousands of years to send Jesus to defeat sin and death and give eternal life. He had a plan when Adam and Eve sinned. Their Seed would crush the snake's head. And He executed it. Although, the flood of the earth and the forming and disciplining of a nation would have to come first. Long before Mary and Joseph, there was Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and Esau and Egypt and Babylon.

Timothy was afraid, hearing what had happened to the apostle Paul, so Paul told him to "stir himself up." Stir up the gift that is in you, by the laying on of my hands and refuse to be afraid. For God has not given you the spirit of fear. Some translations translate that word "timidity." God doesn't want us hopeless nor afraid, nor timid. All are emotions which open the mental door for the enemy. We are to be strong in the Lord, filled with His mighty Spirit of power, of love, and soundness of mind. We must hold tight to God's truth, that we are made righteous in Him and are filled with joy and peace in believing, and in reminding ourselves of it, we renew our mind, or shut de door on de debil (it's a song), and determine to keep pushing forward.

Looking back only gives us a kink in our neck. There's nothing back there, except another drink of discouragement. Because it sure seems like we’re no further ahead than we were.

“I didn’t die. I lived! And now I’m telling the world what God did." (Psalm 118 MSG)

Not true! Lift up the banner of praise and give Him glory for what great things He has done! Let the Holy Spirit fill your voice and there in worship, He will surround you with His presence. Sing aloud, even if everything in you is screaming. Offer Him a living sacrifice, words giving Him honor, in the face of personal discouragement and lingering disappointment, because He is still a loving, faithful God. He is still in control of this nation, this city, and your life. He is still merciful. Jesus is forever King of Kings.

“A Psalm of David. Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.” (Psalms 103:1-5 KJV)

When David tasted hopelessness, He encouraged himself in the Lord and commanded his soul to remember what God had done. We must do the same. Even if it seems silly the first time or the second and the third, when we keep praising, strength comes and the impetus to keep going. Because God never leaves things incomplete. Never. The devil may try to convince you He does, that He's looking elsewhere and not at you, but that's a lie every, single time. We have an enemy who would like us to give up. But why do that when God has such great things planned for us? He’s never without a plan! And tonight, we'll be at the end of today with tomorrow bright on the horizon where you never know what marvelous thing God will do.

There always comes a day when your faith and patience inherit the promise. That is the way God's Word works. We apply our ear to hear the Word and our faith strengthens, and God sees it, and the answer is ours. We must encourage ourselves in the meantime. We must encourage others who we see struggling. And while standing behind our shield of faith, REJOICE! For the battle may be long and sometimes be weary, but God is for us, and Jesus still on the throne. The greatest power in existence lives in you and me, with all the wisdom and patience we will ever need.

Remind yourself and get happy!

“I was right on the cliff-edge, ready to fall, when God grabbed and held me. God’s my strength, he’s also my song, and now he’s my salvation. Hear the shouts, hear the triumph songs in the camp of the saved? ‘The hand of God has turned the tide! The hand of God is raised in victory! The hand of God has turned the tide!’” (Psalm 118 MSG)

“Thank you for responding to me; you’ve truly become my salvation! The stone the masons discarded as flawed is now the capstone! This is God’s work. We rub our eyes—we can hardly believe it! This is the very day God acted—let’s celebrate and be festive! Salvation now, God. Salvation now! Oh yes, God—a free and full life!” (Psalm 118 MSG)

Image by No-longer-here from Pixabay


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Suzanne D. Williams, Author
www.suzannedwilliams.com
www.feelgoodromance.com