Now Jehoshaphat built a fleet of trading ships to go to Ophir for gold, but they never set sail – they were wrecked at Ezion Geber. 1 Kings 22:48

There is something very troubling about this verse. Jehoshaphat spend a lot of money in personnel and material resources to build these trading ships but they never set sail. They never were able to do what they were intended to do. It’s interesting that out of Jehoshaphat’s reign, this is even mentioned.

I recall hearing about a missionary (long before computers) and as he was nearing completion of a Bible translation, a fire destroyed all his work. So, what did he do? Mourned his loss for a short time and went back to work translating the same Bible into the same language. To him there wasn’t a second option despite the tremendous setback: the Bible needed to be translated and he was the only person available to do it.

Throughout history, men and women on the mission field have experienced setbacks like this and have surged forward. Others, however, give up because of the discouragement. Today pray for that young family on the mission field – choose one: Indonesia, China, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Latvia – who has undergone discouragement and wants to give it all up. Pray that God would sovereignly meet their emotional and spiritual needs. Pray that they would renew their love for Him in this discouragement.