Transforming the hearts of man…

Fighting for the Heart of the Few...

A Discouraged Heart

Deuteronomy 1:28 KJV
“Whither shall we go up? Our brethren have discouraged our heart, saying, ‘The people [is] greater and taller than we; the cities [are] great and walled up to heaven; and moreover we have seen the sons of the Anakims there.'”

Oh my, this condition of the heart is one to which I believe every one of us can relate.  Who has never experienced discouragement?  Not me.  I have experienced discouragement many times in my life.  Haven’t you?

Lexicon Results for macac, the Hebrew word for discourage means: to melt, waste away, vanish, drop off, grow fearful or to cause to melt.
Our hearts can melt, waste away, vanish, drop off, grow fearful or be caused to melt.

I want to pull in a couple of observations that capture my attention as I read this.  

The Israelites rebelled against the LORD their God and the results were discouraged hearts; discouraged in all its meaning.  Here’s a massive group of people who God had taken care of for forty years.  Time and time again He had provided for them, even in times of their disobedience.  They were instructed to check out the promise land, and when they did their focus was on the size of the land’s inhabitants instead on the Instructor.  They focused on the Anakites’ size, strengths, number and establishments instead of realizing that the One who sent them would go before them and make a way.  Then they gathered together and had themselves a good old pity party.  

Man has not changed!  We still take our eyes and ears off the LORD.
   
I find it very interesting and exciting at the same time: God clearly gave me the vision for what we now call PureHeart.  As His vision for PHM unfolded and continues to unfold, my heart’s passion has built up and at times melted away.  Call me stupid, or simply immature.  When I take my eyes off God and shift them to man, my heart grows discouraged.  I’ve experienced some of the most exciting and most discouraging times in my life since beginning this ministry pilgrimage.  I immaturely assumed other “believers” would champion PureHeart.  However, I’d have to simply that isn’t the case.  Very little championing takes place, except from some of you, our faithful prayer partners.  I, we have done the exact same thing the Israelites did; I’ve taken my eyes and ears off God and sat around and grumbled. “Don’t they see how important this ministry is? Don’t they see the damage the sexual sin is doing to the church?”  

When man walks face to face with God, he sees as God sees.  Not everything I’ve seen has been encouraging to my heart.  I struggle each time I see believers not living up to God’s high call, whether it’s within the church body, within the structure of a secular company run by an individual who professes to be a believer, within a ministry or behind the columns of a Christian university.  Budget numbers get fudged, reports get doctored, people abuse other people, earthly kingdoms are built in the name of the heavenly Kingdom, power plays take place.  

I’ve resolved that man is man.  Integrity has a price tag that far too few are willing to pay.  

Then, in a way that only God can do, He gently taps me on my shoulder and says, “Focus on the One who called you.”  The gentle nudge realigns me, my focus and leadership and me as a man and we as a ministry press on as He guides and makes a way.  He continually reminds me that what He spoke in the scriptures is there for us to draw hope and strength from when our hearts grow discouraged.  

Matthew 7:14 NIV
“But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

Pray for the few, regardless of their title, position or place in man’s world.  Pray like crazy that the few won’t grow discouraged.

Join with me praising and praying for the following:

1. Praise God for His continual faithfulness.
2. Pray for Stephanie and Brad Powell.  Stephanie has back surgery on Tuesday of this week.  Pray for her healing and recovery from this operation.
3. PHM will be at OWU’s registration on Saturday and Monday.  Pray for the young men that pass our table.  Pray that our ministry display will spark interest and attract the attention of those needing what PHM provides.
4. Pray for us as a ministry team.  We’ve had some men approach us interested in returning to one of the PHM small groups.  Pray for us as we begin forming new teams.  Pray that we’ll be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and to the individuals needs.

Sharing from the Heart,

Steve