The Discipline of Dejection

"...But we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel.' And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place" (Luke 34:21).


Every fact that the disciples stated was right; but the inferences they drew from those facts were wrong. Anything that savors of dejection spiritually is always wrong. If depression and oppression visit us, We are to blame; God is nor is anyone else. Dejection springs from one of two sources--I have either satisfied a lust or I have not. Lust means--I must have it at once. Spiritual lust makes me demand an answer from God, instead of seeking God Who gives the answer. What have we been trusting God would do? And to-day--The immediate present--is the third day, and He has not done it; therefore we imagine we are justified in being dejected and in blaming God. Whenever the insistence is on the point that Gos answers prayer, we are off the track. the meaning of prayer is that we get hold of god, not the answer. It is impossible to be well physically and to be dejected. Dejection is a sign of sickness, and the same thing is true spiritually. Dejection spiritually is wrong, and we are always to blame for it.

We look for visions from heaven, for earthquakes and thunders of God's power (the fat that we are dejected proves that we do), and we never dream that all the time God is in the commonplace things and people around us. If we will do the duty that lies nearest, we shall see Him. One of the most amazing revelations of God comes when we learn that it is in the commonplace things that the Deity of Jesus Christ is realized.

This was taken from Oswald Chambers, "The Utmost For Your Highest" daily devotional. I find too often my prayers are all about me, and what I want. This opened my eyes about prayer in a new and refreshing manner. My prayer is that it does the same for you.

Daily Prayer:

Father forgive my for being so brash and demanding. Forgive my depression from dejection because I demand an answer instead of just communing with you. Help me in my prayers, Holy Spirit come and teach me how to pray. My life in obedience to you, allowing you, for the consequences.             Amen