6 April – Don’t give up!

I have a saying that “nothing is ever wasted if we learn from it.” Even when we may fail get disappointed or go through trials, if we have the attitude of “what can I learn from this experience?”, hopefully nothing is a complete waste. We just have to keep walking, to keep learning and not give up.

When you feel like you are taking one step forward and two steps back, make a decision to keep walking, keep your eyes on Jesus and His plan and purposes for your life and don’t give up.

Paul is an amazing example of how tenacious one person can be. He knew what his life was about, and regardless of the obstacles he just kept going. He went through shipwrecks, storms, deadly snake bites, was stoned, beaten, run out of town and numerous times had to flee for his life. Yet he is also the man who claimed that when he was weak God was strong in him. When he ran out, God filled his weaknesses with his strength and empowering.

“Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren; I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches”. (2 Corinthians 11:26-27)

Why is it then, that many of us never experience the reality of God’s empowering and ability? Is it that we will not fully experience God grace – His super natural enabling unless we are faced with our own weaknesses and need of Him. That we still need to discover  and find ourselves in Him, and know what it means to be complete in Christ.

“For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form,and in Him you have been made complete” (Colossians 2:10)

If we only live in the realm of what is possible for us, we will never really find who we are in Him, or what we are capable of. When we live so independently from God or only ever attempt  to do things we can do alone without exercising our faith, we cut God out of the equation.

He says that we can do all things through Him who gives us strength, that he will do super abundantly more than we can ask, think, dream, or imagine (Philippians 4:13; Ephesians 3:20).

The thing is we have to acknowledge our need of Him, our need for His wisdom and strength, and enabling. Without that we will suffer under hardships, trials and toil. God doesn’t want that. He made us to be dependent on Him, so that we could live out of the knowledge of who we are, and what authority and power we have in Him.  To attempt and succeed in all we ever need do, even if along the way there may be trials and setbacks.

Today take some time to recognise where you have been attempting to handle lifes challenges by yourself. Acknowledge your need of Gods supernatural ability, love and help. He promises that He will come to our aid, whether it be sending another person, giving you supernatural wisdom, and/or angelic assistance.  The important point is that He promises He will be there for you, so don’t give up, take hold of the promises in His word,  acknowledge Him, and keep walking.

“Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?” (Hebrews 1:14) “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)