- Joined
- Oct 26, 2007
- Messages
- 12,539
“Do not be afraid or discouraged.” Joshua 8:1 NLT
On April 17, 1970, the crippled Apollo 13 carrying astronauts James Lovell, John (Jack) Swigert, and Fred Haise landed safely in the Pacific Ocean.
No one will ever know the personal discouragement these astronauts battled. But three of the movie industry’s most compelling actors were able to show how they made it back to Earth by rebuilding components one bolt at a time.
Have you felt lost in space? You try to improve your marriage, your family, your business, and you try to return to God, but failure sucks out all the oxygen?
Joshua knew discouragement. After a failed battle, God told him, “Do not be afraid or discouraged” (Joshua 8:1 NLT). So, like the astronauts, Joshua didn’t give up or in, and he landed safely in the promised land.
Jesus’ followers knew discouragement too. In Luke 12, Jesus clearly explained that His coming to earth would separate family members, and it did. As a result, some became discouraged and walked away. Others rebuilt their families and stayed the course.
In Psalm 70, the writer shares an answer for discouragement: “May those who long for your saving help always say, “The Lord is great!’” (70:4 NIV). That’s where Joshua’s courage, the disciples’ courage, and every believer’s courage comes from—bolt-by-bolt reflections on how great God is!
Prayer: Lord, help me battle discouragement by rebuilding my trust in Your greatness, one component at a time.
On April 17, 1970, the crippled Apollo 13 carrying astronauts James Lovell, John (Jack) Swigert, and Fred Haise landed safely in the Pacific Ocean.
No one will ever know the personal discouragement these astronauts battled. But three of the movie industry’s most compelling actors were able to show how they made it back to Earth by rebuilding components one bolt at a time.
Have you felt lost in space? You try to improve your marriage, your family, your business, and you try to return to God, but failure sucks out all the oxygen?
Joshua knew discouragement. After a failed battle, God told him, “Do not be afraid or discouraged” (Joshua 8:1 NLT). So, like the astronauts, Joshua didn’t give up or in, and he landed safely in the promised land.
Jesus’ followers knew discouragement too. In Luke 12, Jesus clearly explained that His coming to earth would separate family members, and it did. As a result, some became discouraged and walked away. Others rebuilt their families and stayed the course.
In Psalm 70, the writer shares an answer for discouragement: “May those who long for your saving help always say, “The Lord is great!’” (70:4 NIV). That’s where Joshua’s courage, the disciples’ courage, and every believer’s courage comes from—bolt-by-bolt reflections on how great God is!
Prayer: Lord, help me battle discouragement by rebuilding my trust in Your greatness, one component at a time.
