GET TOGETHER- I SAY AGAIN DON’T QUIT!
2Co 4:17,18 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Our enemy Satan has various schemes to attempt to get Christians to quit. Just a few of them are condemnation, discouragement, fatigue, hopelessness and the lie that God has left you. There are many more and I really don’t have the time to name them all in this devotional, but you get the picture.
We get a picture of one reason that he wants to do this in Joh 10:10 “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. He wants to rob us as God’s people from fulfilling our destiny. He is a thief and a destroyer. Jesus has a plan and a desire for us to have eternal life; and life and life more abundantly as we serve Him here on earth.
I can remember when I was a sophomore in high school. We were practicing football in the hot August heat. It was during two a day practices. They didn’t give you water in those days except on certain occasions and this day wasn’t one of them. I was throwing up, had cotton mouth, and thought that I was going to die. Our coach came over and began to get on me pretty hard. I remember him saying don’t you wish that you were in Panama City at the Hang Out. I was thinking that if I could I sure would like to be there. I thought about quitting, but I knew that I wasn’t going to. I knew that I couldn’t look my brother, my daddy, and several others in the face if I did. Besides I wanted to get one of those uniforms when they handed them out. I am sure glad that I didn’t quit. We won a few games had some tough losses, but I built relationships with people that I played with and against that have lasted a lifetime. Also, I learned many lessons that have been helpful in the Kingdom about not giving up.
Perhaps today you are serving God and the enemy is trying to get you to quit. You may feel like you are not seeing the results that you would like to see from your effort. He is trying to get you to give up on the destiny that God has for you in the Kingdom. Big victories always come after big battles.
The Greek term for affliction in this passage is thlipsis, thlip’-sis. It means trouble involving direct suffering and it also means persecution. Today you may be facing persecution for your faith from people. You may be suffering because of what the enemy is throwing at you. No matter what it is don’t quit. You are on the right team. Jesus Has promised us help. The Word of God promises us help. Isa 59:19 So shall they fear The name of the LORD from the west, And His glory from the rising of the sun; When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him.” Remember that this is just for a short time. It is temporary. God is leading you to victories that will last for eternity.
This morning in J.J.’s devotional the emphasis was on trusting God through these trials and challenges. Anytime that the enemy gets you to thinking about quitting just remember that the trouble is temporary, but the victory is eternal. As Paul says in Php 3:13,14 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Don’t quit! Don’t quit! Don’t quit!
Let Us Pray
Lord sometimes life can throw some challenges our way. And sometimes the voice of the enemy attempts to get us to give up. But thank You Lord that Your voice is the voice of truth and you tell us not to give up, but to stay in the game. Today help us to draw on your word and the power of the Holy Spirit until we are living in Your eternal glory forever and ever.
In Jesus Name
Amen
May the Lord bless you in great and mighty ways!
Your Friend/Kinfolk
Preston
