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"Don't Be Discouraged!" by Debbie Goodwin
2 Chronicles 2:12 (13) Now I am sending a man of skill and understanding, my master craftsman Huram, 13 (14) the son of a woman who was one of the daughters of Dan, while his father was a man from Tzor. He is skilled in working gold, silver, bronze, iron, stone, and timber, as well as purple and blue dyed materials, fine linen and crimson material; he can do any kind of engraving; and he can make all the equipment necessary to accomplish any task assigned to him, with the help of your craftsmen and those of my lord David your father. 14 (15) Therefore let my lord send his servants the wheat, barley, oil and wine he has spoken of; 15 (16) and we will cut wood from the L’vanon, as much as you need; we will float it to you as rafts by sea to Yafo, and you will take it up to Yerushalayim.”
16 (17) Shlomo took a census of all the foreigners in the land of Isra’el, following the pattern of the census of David his father; they were found to number 153,600. 17 (18) He appointed 70,000 of them to carry loads, 80,000 to be stonecutters in the hills and 3,600 as supervisors to assign the people their work.
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The people of Israel felt threatened. Who wouldn't with vast numbers of their enemies advancing? It was enough to set everyone on edge and make their confidence puddle in front of them like spilled milk. Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, knew what to do. He "inquired of the Lord." That's when God promised victory.
Sometimes, it takes a person with a belief in the limitless and unstoppable power of God to remind others to trust God's promise. When God says that He will provide victory against whatever enemy is attacking, stand in confidence. However, never stand in arrogance about it. Humility always represents the trusting heart best. Your best plans, ideas, and approaches will always pale against the resources and activity of God.
No one would have predicted an Israelite victory against the Moabites and their allies. Yet here's the take-away reminder for you: The same God who defended them is available to help you. When God's Spirit whispers, "Don't be discouraged," listen to Him. Discouragement is the first enemy He wants to defeat. When you believe that He has resources you can't access any other way but through Him, you are one step closer to the victory He has planned.
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Hymn for Today: "Faith is the Victory" by John H. Yates
1. Encamped along the hills of light,
Ye Christian soldiers, rise,
And press the battle ere the night
Shall veil the glowing skies.
Against the foe in vales below
Let all our strength be hurled;
Faith is the victory, we know,
That overcomes the world.
Refrain:
Faith is the victory!
Faith is the victory!
Oh, glorious victory,
That overcomes the world.
2. His banner over us is love,
Our sword the Word of God;
We tread the road the saints above
With shouts of triumph trod.
By faith, they like a whirlwind’s breath,
Swept on o’er every field;
The faith by which they conquered death
Is still our shining shield.
Refrain:
Faith is the victory!
Faith is the victory!
Oh, glorious victory,
That overcomes the world.
3. On every hand the foe we find
Drawn up in dread array;
Let tents of ease be left behind,
And onward to the fray.
Salvation’s helmet on each head,
With truth all girt about,
The earth shall tremble ’neath our tread,
And echo with our shout.
Refrain:
Faith is the victory!
Faith is the victory!
Oh, glorious victory,
That overcomes the world.
4. To him that overcomes the foe,
White raiment shall be giv’n;
Before the angels he shall know
His name confessed in heav’n.
Then onward from the hills of light,
Our hearts with love aflame,
We’ll vanquish all the hosts of night,
In Jesus’ conqu’ring name.
Refrain:
Faith is the victory!
Faith is the victory!
Oh, glorious victory,
That overcomes the world.
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Thought for Today: 2 Thessalonians 2:16 And may our Lord Yeshua the Messiah himself and God our Father, who has loved us and by his grace given us eternal comfort and a good hope, 17 comfort your hearts and strengthen you in every good word and deed.-------
Please Pray: For the development of Christian leaders in Jordan.
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