Difficult tasks often discourage us... - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2026

Do no fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Matthew 10:28.

Difficult tasks often discourage us. And forecasts like, "What you propose doing will prove really hard!" do not make things easier!

The twelve apostles must have sensed that when the Lord sent them out to preach the gospel in the towns and villages. He said: "I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. You will be hated of all for my name's sake" (vv. 16 & 22).

But the Lord added that they should not fear those who hated them. They could not do anything worse than kill their body. That is unquestionably terrible. How many have paid that price from the first apostles until our own day!

Why shouldn't the disciples be afraid? Because those who hated them couldn't kill their soul. It was outside their power. It is God who has all power and can judge body and soul in hell. And He will carry out this judgment on those who fail to respect Him and will not serve Him. Believers' enemies will not have the final word; that is God's prerogative.

Believers in Christ need not fear their enemies: God will protect them. He cares for the sparrows, which in men's view are valueless, as the Lord stresses in this connection. How much more will He take care of His children, who are infinitely precious to Him. Neither in time or eternity will He allow them to suffer shame. True Christians can therefore joyfully trust in God and serve Him reverently..

Today's reading: Leviticus 2:1-16 · Psalms 48:1-14