LESSONS FROM THE WILDERNESS - VII Getting Past Discouragement Text: Exodus 6:1-12

Webster’s dictionary describes “discourage” as “reduce the confidence of.” Another dictionary describes it as “a feeling of despair in the face of obstacles; or a state of distraught and loss of sense of enthusiasm, drive or courage.” Most of the Hebrew dictionaries describe it as “shortness, impatience and anguish.”

THERE ARE SEVERAL GEMS OF TRUTH THAT WE MUST KEEP IN OUR HEARTS AND MINDS TO REDUCE AND EVEN ELIMINATE DISCOURAGEMENT FROM HINDERING OUR ABUNDANT LIFE.

I. WE SERVE THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY (6:1a,2,3) This Hebrew name is “Jehovah or Yahweh. It means “the (self) existing one; eternal.” God Almighty is the Hebrew “El Shaddai.” It means that He is the One and Only true God but also the One who is Almighty over any principality or power in existence. He is the All-Sufficient One.

I. WE SERVE THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY (6:1a,2,3) “I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob as God Almighty, but by my name the LORD I did not make myself known to them.” Exodus 6:3

II. WE SERVE A COVENANT KEEPING GOD (6:4,5,8) Genesis 15; Genesis 15:9; Genesis 15:18-21

II. WE SERVE A COVENANT KEEPING GOD (6:4,5,8) 1. Eternal Covenant - Hebrews 13:20 2. Edenic Covenant - Genesis 1: Adamic Covenant - Genesis 3: Noahic Covenant - Genesis 8:20-9:6 5. Abrahamic Covenant - Genesis 12: Mosaic Covenant - Exodus 20:1-31:18 7. Palestinian covenant - Deuteronomy 30: Davidic Covenant - II Samuel 7: New Covenant - Jeremiah 31:31-33; Matthew 26:28; Mark 14:24; Luke 22:20; Hebrew 8:8-12

III. WE SERVE A PROMISE KEEPING GOD (6:1b,6-7) “Moses reported this to the Israelites, but they did not listen to him because of their discouragement and cruel bondage.” Exodus 6:9

The problem with discouragement is that it doesn’t remain stagnant. It moves from one person to another. Don’t pass it on. Instead pass on these wonderful Gems of Truth.