July 24, Do not be discouraged
DO NOT BE DISCOURAGED!
Joshua 1:9
So, I had just finished my final lap. I leaned against the side of the pool concluding my workout, regaining my breath, and preparing to climb out of the water when I heard a complaint from the lane beside me. A breathless older gentleman at the end of his workout said, “this is hard, we were not made for this; God didn’t mean for us to swim . . . it’s not natural.” (His smile indicated that he was attempting to laugh off the challenge of his own workout.) I smiled in return, and reassured him that as difficult as it felt, the benefit of the workout would far exceed the strain of each lap. He nodded and then did something unexpected – he turned and vigorously swam off for a few more laps.
So today, I speak the same type of truth into your life, but with a much more urgent application. The benefit far exceeds the strain, so keep swimming – metaphorically, of course.
“But as for you, be strong and do not give up” (2 Chronicles 15:7).
“Do not become weary in doing good” (Galatians 6:9).
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).
“Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (Hebrews 12:1).
“Stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong” (I Corinthians 16:13).
I know you may feel overwhelmed. You may feel physically exhausted. This present season of life may offer challenges that push against your faith on every side. And amid the noise and confusion of such challenges, the echoes of a quiet encouragement can be heard: keep going. You may agree with the sentiments of the swimmer earlier referenced, and conclude “this is hard . . . we were not made for this.” But the voice of your Creator and Redeemer has instructed you in His Word to continue onward.
So today, do not faint. Do not grow weary. Do not give up. For,
“. . . there is in store for ‘you’ the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to ‘you’ on that day, and not only for ‘you’, but also for all who have longed for His appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:8)
The “crown of righteousness” references the heavenly reward for the righteous. Those who belong to Christ will be rewarded by the Righteous Judge (contrasting the unrighteous officials who had falsely condemned Paul).
Regardless of what this present day brings against you, your true reward is not in this present life, but in the eternal life purchased for you by Christ’s own blood. Jesus died for you, has prepared a place for you, and secures your life with Him until you are … well, actually with Him. I trust you will allow this truth to “sink in”, for there is truly no greater blessing, and truly no greater encouragement to continue on. So, keep swimming.
Be strong, do not become weary, be courageous, throw off every hindrance, stand firm in the faith, and get ready for another lap. You have all of heaven on your side.
Blessings.
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Read Joshua 1:7-9 and rediscover your own heart of courage.