Have you ever felt tired and ready to give up? You have given what it seems like 110% for some time and nothing is happening; well, something IS happening but it’s taking you backwards. As the old adage goes “One step forward and two steps back.” Every time you make progress, something bad happens and the situation is worse than before. Life happens this way sometimes. And by sometimes, I mean… A LOT! “Can I get a witness”?
It seems the moment you decide to follow Christ with your whole heart and become obedient to Him in some new ways, “all Hell breaks loose”. The “unheavenly” host is alerted to your progress and now you have the attention of the enemy(s) of God. He is lurking about like an intimidating lion seeking someone to devour. So…be alert! Your weariness is not a sign that it is time to give up but a signal for help. Time to call upon the Heavenly Host of God to intervene. “Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.” Jeremiah 33:3
The book of Hebrews was written to the People of God who were being severely persecuted, traumatized and killed for their faith. Everything around them and in their lives was screaming for them to quit…to give up. “It’s not worth it. Turn back…it was easier”. Following Christ had become a liability and was just too hard! But the writer of this letter charged them with this:
Hebrews 10:35–39 - 35 Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. 37 For, “Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay; 38 but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.” 39 But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls. (ESV)
So, read it again in a paraphrase that I believe accurately conveys the writer’s thoughts:
“So, don’t throw it all away now. You were sure of yourselves then. It’s still a sure thing! But you need to stick it out, staying with God’s plan so you’ll be there for the promised completion. It won’t be long now, he’s on the way; he’ll show up most any minute. But anyone who is right with me thrives on loyal trust; if he cuts and runs, I won’t be very happy. But we’re not quitters who lose out. Oh, no! We’ll stay with it and survive, trusting all the way”. (The Message)
You get that… “we’re not quitters who lose out.” As God’s people we live by faith. Not always seeing with our eyes or even experiencing with our bodies what we are hoping for. We trust in the all-seeing eye of God, who is also all powerful…we trust Him!
So, no matter what you are going through today… “Don’t Quit!”
Here are a few more verses to encourage you.
Revelation 2:10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.
Hebrews 12:3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.
Galatians 6:9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
The Promises of God are TRUE…DON’T QUIT