Exodus 6:6-9 (NLT)
"Therefore, say to the Israelites: 'I am the Lord, and I will free you from your slavery in Egypt. I will redeem you with mighty power and great acts of judgment. [7] I will make you my own special people, and I will be your God. And you will know that I am the Lord your God who has rescued you from your slavery in Egypt. [8] I will bring you into the land I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It will be your very own property. I am the Lord!' " [9] So Moses told the people what the Lord had said, but they wouldn't listen anymore. They had become too discouraged by the increasing burden of their slavery.
In these two chapters we see Moses beginning to get discouraged. He had heard from God and had been given a task. Moses stepped out in faith trusting that God would see him through. Moses goes before Pharaoh and asks for the slaves to be set free for three days so they can go to the wilderness and worship God. Pharaoh responds by increasing the workload and limiting the supplies. The people get discouraged and a group of leaders plead their case before Pharaoh. Immediately Pharaoh turns the attention back to Moses. Now the people are angry at Moses. Moses goes back to God discouraged and frustrated. God reassures Moses of His mission and sends Moses back to the people. Moses again tells the people what God has planned for them but “they wouldn’t listen anymore; they had become too discouraged.”
If we are honest, there are times when in ministry we can become very discouraged. We have the greatest story in the world to tell yet people don’t respond. When times like this happen in my life, I have to remind myself that I belong to Christ. Christ alone provides hope for the future, Christ alone can sustain me when I am feeling discouraged, Christ alone can lift me up when I am down. These two chapters serve as a great reminder that we have the joy of encouragement because we have Christ in our life. Remember, the greatest source of encouragment comes from a daily dose of reading God's word.
Father, I admit that there are times in my life that I get discouraged. God, I am so thankful that you love me and I can find continual encouragement through your word. Help me to walk in step with you today.
Your Servant
Chris
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Good Morning Chris, Thank you for the encouraging message. I think sometimes my pride get in the way of allowing people to encourage. The statement "It is more blessed to give that receive." is the case in my receiving from others. I guess its not wanting to admit my weaknesses to others. But without Christ we are and cannot do anything. So, I will work on being humble enought to receive the precious gift of encouragement from my brothers and sisters in Christ. Love in Christ Francie
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