“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you;
He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
Deut:31:8
There is a very good reason why the Lord tells us repeatedly not to be discouraged.
Discouragement and depression of the spirit actually causes our attitude, our gaze, to be pulled downwards. Discouragement, a primary weapon of our enemy, seeks to cause us to lose our “vision”.
We might feel like we are facing seemingly insurmountable difficulties.
If we give in to discouragement we find ourselves staring downwards,
instead of where we should be training our focus:
“Lift up your heads, you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.”
Psalm 24:7
Our eyes are the windows, the gateway to our souls.
“…when I am lifted up[ from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”
John 12:32
Jesus Himself is the Lifter our Heads, the Encourager-
the One through whom we can have courage, joy, peace beyond comprehension,
especially in the midst of trials.
Hebrews 12 tells us this:
“…let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,
2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.
For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners,
so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
Beloved, look up, be encouraged!
He is strong when you are weak, keep your heart-gaze locked on Him.
You will never lose heart,
together with Him you’ll finish the race without being overcome by weariness.