In a battle or in competition, we sometimes get weary and are tempted to give up. We may feel worn out and unable to go further which is the natural reaction to unsurmountable failures, frustration, humiliation, betrayal, abandonment, lack of support, discouragement, etc. A just cause ceases to offer any attraction at that point. Life becomes very bitter as a living hell. Good becomes evil, and evil becomes good. Righteousness becomes sin, and sin becomes righteousness. Giving up appears the only viable alternative.
2Timothy 3: 1 says, there will be terrible times in the last days.
Is it normal to give up? Or not to hold on?
Scripturally, giving up is not normal. It is written in Hebrews 10: 35-36, do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. We must hold on because obedience to God’s will is not wasted but always rewarded as it is counted as righteousness. Losing confidence means losing confidence or faith in either God and his promise, or submitting to the world in a form of accepting defeat.
We are further encouraged to hold on in Hebrews 10: 38, “But my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back.” Aside from the promise of a reward, God does not delight in those with faint hearts or shrink back or coil back. It is a sign of betrayal as a soldier of the Lord against his command in the war front of righteousness against evil. Hebrews 10: 38 says, we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.
What to do in daunting moments.
Scripture has some answers for our consideration:
Aim for the future reward
Isaiah 7: 9 says, if you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all. Wavering in faith destroys the foundation of faith. Paul said in 1Corinthians 15: 58, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the wok of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain. We hold on based on God’s promise of reward, and his command. 1Corinthians 16: 13 says, be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. We need to be guided by the future as Christ Jesus commands us.
Treat trials as spiritual battles
Ephesians 6: 12 says for our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. It takes prayer to hold on successfully as a spiritual tool. Paul said of Epaphras in Colossians 4: 12, he was always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. When the disciples asked Jesus why they could not heal the convulsed man, he replied in Mark 9: 29, “This kind can come out only by prayer.”
Exercise faith in God and his word
2Thessalonians 2: 15 says, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter. God’s word is the same however the form. We must also be patient without haste. James 5: 7-8 say, be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. Be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. Paul said in Romans 12: 12, be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 1: 17 says, “The righteous will live by faith.”
Seek the grace of God, not the law
Galatians 3: 11 says, clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.” Earthly laws do not protect the soul but human convenience. We need the grace of God to hold on. Philippians 4: 13 says, “I can do all things through him (Christ) who gives me strength.” In Romans 6: 14, we are not under the law, but under grace. Therefore, God said in 2Corinthians 12: 9, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
Submit to patience and faithfulness
God has cautioned in Revelation 13: 10, “If anyone is to go into captivity, into captivity they will go. If anyone is to be killed with the sword, with the sword they will be killed.” This calls for patience, endurance and faithfulness on the part of God’s people. Faithfulness is the cure for betrayal. In order to receive the mark of the Lamb, Revelation 14: 12 says, this calls for patient endurance on the part of the people of God who keep his commands and remain faithful to Jesus.
Do not fear, believe God’s word
Frustrated at the red sea, Moses said to the Israelites in Exodus 14: 13, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. Upon standing firm, God made a way for the Israelites through the Red sea on dry ground. Also, 2Chronicles 20: 17 says, you will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you. When we obey, God fights for us.
Jesus said in Revelation 2: 25 only hold fast to what you have until I come. We must therefore (1) be saved; (2) maintain our salvation in righteousness; (3) bear spiritual fruits. He also said in Revelation 3: 11, I am coming soon; hold fast to what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. Jesus suggests that we can lose our salvation to the enemy without steps 2-3. The scariest part is that no one knows when Jesus is coming. Philippians 2: 12 says continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.
We must be expectant, vigilant, and prayerful as Jesus said in Luke 21: 36, be always on the watch and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.” 2Timothy 3: 1 says, there will be terrible times in the last days. Are we watchful over what we have or possess under 1-3 above? Don’t let it be too late holding on as the Lord has cautioned. Hebrews 10: 31 says, it is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Hold on till Jesus comes!
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus Christ, we beseech you, help us to hold on the faith till you come. Aid us to be resilient, faithful and prayerful to preserve what you have given us. Give us your grace to overcome the terrible times. Clothe us in righteousness in your blood. We pray in your blessed Holy name, Amen!!
Send us your prayer request so we may join you in prayer
0 Comments