The Encourager
“How God Deals with Discouragement”
How God Deals with Disappointment
Jeff Curtis
The beginning of Exodus chapter 6 shows Moses as being discouraged. He had done what God had told him to do. He had done everything he could for his people. He had attempted to deliver Israel from Egyptian slavery, but none of his efforts had succeeded. Pharaoh had spurned him, mocked him, mocked his God, and rejected his request. Worse, Pharaoh had made life harder for the Israelites. As a result, the Israelites – who had once welcomed Moses (4:29-31) – had turned against him (5:19-21). Moses’ bright hope for Israel’s release had been extinguished. He must have been wondering, “Where is God in all this? What happened to those promises?” So, Moses complained to God (5:22-23).
Did you ever feel as though everything you were doing – even what you were trying to do for God – was going wrong? What should you do in such a situation? You should do what Moses did: even though he complained, he made the right choice in taking his problem to God. Then the story turns to what God did. As we look at what God did for Moses, we can find comfort in our own situations. Let’s see how God deals with discouragement by thinking about what God did for Moses.
God did not rebuke Moses. Moses complained to God. However, from God’s standpoint, his complaint didn’t deserve a rebuke. Sometimes we are too timid to approach God. We have to be willing to speak our minds to God, to share with Him our deepest thoughts. The more direct and personal and heartfelt our prayers are, the more meaningful they will be.
God encouraged Moses. God first reassured Moses that his mission would ultimately be successful (6:1). Second, God encouraged him by giving another revelation about Himself (6:2-4). He reminded Moses the He was “the Lord,” the God of the patriarchs. Third, God encouraged him by telling Moses of His concern for the people and repeating the promises He had made to them (6:5-8).
When we get discouraged, we need to remember theses truths: (1) Though we experience temporary and temporal failures, ultimately, if we are faithful to God, permanent and eternal success will be ours. (2) God loves us and has a personal interest in us. We should take courage in His nature – in His love, His compassion, His power, and His might. Our faith regarding the future is not based on our ability, but on God’s strength. (3) God has promised to be with us. We are His covenant people, as were the Israelites, and we can depend on his promises. He will strengthen us so that we can indeed accomplish everything He wants us to do (Ephesians 3:20; Philippians 4:13).
God met Moses’ need. Moses, in his discouragement, thought he was inadequate for the job; apparently his old feelings of inferiority returned (6:12). Again, the Lord didn’t rebuke Moses. Instead, He met Moses’ need for help and reminded him of his call (6:13). God also will take care of our inadequacies, whether real or imagined. We simply need to remember who is on our side. “If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:13).
Do you ever get discouraged because of your failures or because of the way others treat you? If you do, you are in good company – the company of Moses and Elijah, for example. What should we do when we are discouraged? (1) Turn to God. Tell Him your problems, and then leave the matter in His hands. (2) Carry out the commission He agave you. “Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary” (Galatians 6:9).
