Charles Stanley Daily Devotional 12th July 2025 (In Touch) Saturday Message
TOPIC: Defeating Discouragement
SCRIPTURE READING – Nehemiah 2:1-8 (NIV)
1 In the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was brought for him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had not been sad in his presence before, 2 so the king asked me, “Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart.”
I was very much afraid, 3 but I said to the king, “May the king live forever! Why should my face not look sad when the city where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?”
4 The king said to me, “What is it you want?”
Then I prayed to the God of heaven, 5 and I answered the king, “If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my ancestors are buried so that I can rebuild it.”
6 Then the king, with the queen sitting beside him, asked me, “How long will your journey take, and when will you get back?” It pleased the king to send me; so I set a time.
7 I also said to him, “If it pleases the king, may I have letters to the governors of Trans-Euphrates, so that they will provide me safe-conduct until I arrive in Judah? 8 And may I have a letter to Asaph, keeper of the royal park, so he will give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel by the temple and for the city wall and for the residence I will occupy?” And because the gracious hand of my God was on me, the king granted my requests.
Discouragement can rob us of peace, joy, and contentment. But here’s great news if you feel disheartened: You aren’t stuck!
Let’s look at the life of Nehemiah. He had every reason to feel defeated, because his people were in trouble. After receiving news that the wall around the holy city of Jerusalem had been destroyed, this man of God acknowledged profound disappointment and grieved. Yet, even though pain flooded his soul, he didn’t allow himself to stay in that low place. Instead, he cried out to the Lord.
Since the king’s reaction was unpredictable and potentially harsh, Nehemiah prayed for success and a compassionate response. The Lord answered with amazing power, prompting the king to notice his servant’s sad countenance and to ask what he could do to help. This miracle led to a rebuilt wall and the redemption of God’s people.
The Lord can take any impossible situation and move in ways mightier than you can imagine (Ephesians 3:20). Do you live in eager expectation of what God will do, or have you chosen to linger in despair? Like Nehemiah, turn your disappointment into a petition for the Lord’s help. He can restore your hope and prevent negative emotions from gaining a foothold in your spirit.
Bible in One Year: Proverbs 16-18
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: In impossible situations, God can move in unimaginable ways.
Dr. Charles F. Stanley was the founder of In Touch Ministries and a New York Times best-selling author. Throughout his ministry, he demonstrated a keen awareness of people’s needs and provided Christ-centered biblically based principles for everyday life