Don’t Quit!
Good Morning,
We are all aware of the trouble in life; trouble is common. Trouble was predicted by our Lord when He said, "In the world ye shall have tribulation,” (John 16:33) yet it still catches us off guard. We still struggle when we face a trial that forces us to our knees not knowing what to do next. Any kind of Christian has people on his prayer list that make him sit back and simply pray, almost in disbelief, for the grief they bear. Trouble is more real than any of us wish to admit.
Burdens are not new to the child of God. Suffering, being overwhelmed, wondering what to do and where to turn: these are trials that come with life on this earth. Trouble will be your companion, no matter how good of a Christian you are. Notice Paul's words to the Corinthian church:
2 Corinthians 7:4 “Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.”
vs. 5 “For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.”
vs. 6 “Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;”
Look at the key phrases:
“…joyful in all our tribulation.”
“…troubled on every side…”
“…without were fightings…”
“…within were fears…”
“…cast down…”
Today, Paul might be diagnosed with PTSD or some panic disorder; surely, he would have been placed on some medication. Yet, amidst the trouble, he went on serving God. Today, some people make plans to serve God when life smooths out. They act as if one first needs to deal with trials and then get involved in the ministry of the Gospel when the situation clears. We tend to think that our trials serve as an exemption ticket, allowing us to opt out of ministry. Yet here we find the greatest church builder, soul winner, and preacher in the early church, and he was beaten over and over, inside and out, and still served God!
I have dear friends who have been abandoned by their spouse, been broken in their body, faced bankruptcy, been betrayed or forsaken by friends, faced depression to the point of wishing to die, and many other tragedies. Yet each has told me of their witnessing, Sunday school class, or their starting over in the ministry after losing all they had. Any of these people could have quit on God, but as good soldiers of the cross, they continue to serve because God is worthy of our service. We award Purple Hearts to wounded soldiers, and you may be sure that one day when we are all home in Heaven, the awards will be meted out to spiritual soldiers as well. Until then, may we press on for the prize of the high calling in Christ!
Philippians 3:14 “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
Hebrews 3:1 “Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;”
vs. 7 “Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice…”
vs. 8 “Harden not your hearts…"
May we continue to serve God, to believe in His plan, to wrestle through our trials, to limp across the finish line, and to be honored to stand for the King.
Pastor