We must never give up. We must give ALL of ourselves to each assignment we are given, knowing, “I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Phil. 4:13)
Those who are victorious often reached success by climbing a special ladder called “NEVER GIVE UP.” However, there are also many who have lost the opportunity to achieve success because they gave up too soon. This can happen in every area of life: family, education, friends, work, service. PERSEVERANCE IS A KEY TO VICTORY. “I have FOUGHT the good fight, I have FINISHED the race, I have KEPT the faith.” (2 Tim. 4:7)
Paul the apostle endured despite persecution and affliction: “You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings…the persecutions I endured. Yet THE LORD RESCUED ME ♥ FROM ALL OF THEM.” (2 Tim. 3:10-11)
Paul viewed life with realism, recognizing that as followers of Christ we will suffer persecution: “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus WILL BE persecuted…” (2 Tim. 3:12), but he instructed Timothy to place his faith in God and the encouragement of the Scriptures: “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because YOU KNOW those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able TO MAKE YOU WISE FOR SALVATION through faith in Christ Jesus.” (2 Tim. 3:14-15)
Doing so would help him face discouragement and endure with hope. At the end of his life, Paul said, “I have fought THE GOOD FIGHT, I have finished THE RACE, I have kept THE FAITH” (2 Tim. 4:7) We too can allow the Scriptures to strengthen us to press on in the race marked out for us. For our God is both a PROMISE-MAKING AND PROMISE-KEEPING GOD and will reward those who faithfully finish the race: “Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day–and not only to me, but also TO ALL WHO HAVE LONGED FOR HIS APPEARING.” (2 Tim. 4:8)
Heavenly Father, give us strength of character and determination to serve you WITH OUR ALL. Help us NOT TO GET DISCOURAGED when things get tough but to DEPEND ON AND TRUST IN, YOU to see us through.
Your personal Pastor -Bill Stockham