David Diga Hernandez - 7 Trials of the Called: Discouragement

Well, I know that the Lord has anointed you for such a time as this. I believe you’re called. I believe you’re called to win souls. I believe you’re called to heal the sick. I believe you’re called to make prophetic declarations. I believe you’re called to drive out demonic spirits. But, as we grow in ministry, as we grow in the anointing, God will test us in order that He may promote us. So, if you’re frustrated with where you are in the ministry right now or you’re wondering what God has next for you, this series is going to bless you. I’ve been talking about the seven trials of the called. Now, these are seven ways that God will test you before He can promote you. Last week, I talked about the test of hiddenness, which is being hidden before you’re exposed. The week before that, I talked about the test of service. In other words, if God can trust you with a little, He can trust you with much. This week, I’m talking about the test of discouragement. This is where that weight comes on you and you don’t know if you can make it, and you feel like quitting. I want to talk to those today who feel like quitting—that’s today on this edition of Spirit Church here on Encounter TV. First, Stephen Moctezuma is here with me as usual; he’s going to lead you in worship, and then we’re going to get right into this. This is going to be a changing day for you. I believe that God is going to transform things in you; this is going to uplift you, and you’re going to the next level in ministry in Jesus’ name. Here is Stephen Moctezuma. «Reign in all the earth, reign in all the earth, Jesus reign in all the earth, reign in all the earth, Jesus reign in all the earth.» «Lame in all the earth, Jesus reign in all the earth.» «Reign in Novi, Jesus, we want to see You, show us Your home.» «We want to know; we want to see You, show us Your coffee.» «We want to know, Jesus; we want to see, show us Your glory.» «We want to know; we want to see.» «So, go; we want to know some rain.» «In all the earth, reign in all the earth, Jesus reign in all the earth, reign in all the earth, Jesus.» «So reigning all, reigning over Jesus, reign in all the made in all the; Jesus.» So, the seven trials of the called. Now, in week one, I talked about the test of service. Can you do the little things? If so, God will promote you. I talked about the test of hiddenness. This is where you feel overlooked, underused, like nobody understands what you’re called to do, but that’s where God purifies the motives. Because in that season, you’re either doing it because you love God or you’re not doing it at all. This week, on this edition of Spirit Church, I’m talking about number three: the test of discouragement. This is where you’re so weighed down, so burdened that you feel like quitting. Maybe you say, «Lord, I’ve been at this for so long. I’ve been trying this in so many different ways, but nothing seems to be breaking. At this point, there doesn’t seem to be any breakthrough; I feel like I’m up against that wall, and I’ve peaked. There’s this cap, and I can’t get over this certain place.» I’m going to show you today how to pass the test of discouragement. Now, let’s go to Genesis chapter 37. Remember, we’re paralleling this lesson with the life of Joseph and with my testimony. I’ve been sharing with you about how I felt called to the media ministry. I shared with you about how I served in my youth group, flipping songs on an overhead projector. I talked to you about number three: the test of hiddenness—all the failures I experienced in ministry, all the times I did something that really didn’t work at all. And now, I want to continue this story of Joseph and my story at the same time. So, Genesis chapter 37, I’m going to read three simple verses to you: verses 25 through 28. The Scripture says this: «And just as they were sitting down to eat, they looked up and saw a caravan of camels in the distance coming toward them. It was a group of Ishmaelite traders taking a load of gum, balm, and aromatic resin from Gilead down to Egypt. Judah said to his brothers, 'What will be gained by killing our brother? We could cover up the crime, but instead of hurting him, let’s sell him to those Ishmaelite traders. After all, he is our brother, our own flesh and blood.' And his brothers agreed. When the Ishmaelites, who were Midianite traders, came by, Joseph’s brothers pulled him out of the cistern and sold him for 20 pieces of silver. The traders took him to Egypt.»

Now, this is the portion of the story where Joseph’s brothers sell him into slavery. Now, put this in the context of what I talked about last week about how God will hide you before he can first use you, and He hides you for your own protection. Why? Because as soon as Joseph came out of the hiding of the cistern, he went into the discouragement of slavery. His brothers betrayed him. This is why betrayal in ministry hurts so much—because it’s never the people we expect to betray us that betray us. It only hurts when we’re betrayed by the ones we least expect. In discouragement, there is betrayal, there is heartbreak, there is discomfort, there is disconnection and isolation. Sometimes you feel even disconnected from God because of the heaviness that’s on you. Now, it’s amazing that we talk about people rising. We encourage people to rise; we say we need more Kingdom.