RUN (Strain) TO WIN!
What can we do when we want to give up??? Endure! As hard as it is to keep on going when times are hard, much is said in the Scriptures about "running our race" and it is more important that we finish well than how we begin!
Heb. 11:32 "How much more do I need to say? It would take too long to recount the stories of the faith of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and all the prophets. 33 By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them. They shut the mouths of lions,34 quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword. Their weakness was turned to strength. They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight. 35 Women received their loved ones back again from death."
These were runners who saw even their defeats turned into victories.....BUT scripture goes on to say:
Heb. 12:35 "But others were tortured, refusing to turn from God in order to be set free. They placed their hope in a better life after the resurrection. 36 Some were jeered at, and their backs were cut open with whips. Others were chained in prisons. 37 Some died by stoning, some were sawed in half, and others were killed with the sword. Some went about wearing skins of sheep and goats, destitute and oppressed and mistreated. 38 They were too good for this world, wandering over deserts and mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground."
In thinking over this last portion of scripture, I recall what so many Christians are facing in other countries! They are literally being killed, made to wander and go hungry in an attempt to cross deserts or mountains, fleeing for their lives and the lives of their children.
It is all too easy to sit in our comfortable living rooms, watching our color TV's, which show the "exhaustion" and even death to many brethren abroad.
I became a Spirit-filled Christian in 1978 which is 37 years ago! That seems like a really long time, but to God...1 day is as a 1000 years, so I have hardly made it to 1/37th of a day! I only say this because we are so burdened at times due to "time pressures", but the real test of our faith is based on the time we finish our race, not when it began.
I know each each of us has various trials. We should actually expect them because scripture says that even when we are bearing "fruit, He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn't produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more." John 15:2
Knowing these things should cause us do everything we can to prepare ourselves for whatever comes at us. Hiding scripture in our heart, having close fellowship with other Believers, having scruples...boundaries, to not fall into sin when we are being tempted...because WE WILL BE TEMPTED. "The Devil roams about like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour!!!"
I don't imagine I need to impress upon anyone that persecution is happening around the world, but then there are also challenges to our comfortable lives that require an "extension" of our faith: "Why me, Lord?"
Recently, my grandson had a bad encounter with "fire." He ended up in the hospital with 2nd and 3rd degree burns on his hands and knees. It wasn't a house fire or a car wreck, but during a simple good deed effort to put out a kitchen fire. His misjudgment cast him...in a sense...into the "fiery furnace" of trial.
Sure, he's feeling the "pain" in his flesh, but all of his family and friends are "hurting" with him...obviously to a lesser extent, but those friends and family are the ones he truly needs to help him "endure" this trial by fire! They can "help" him with day to day living while he heals.
I think my point is being made by simply recognizing what Jesus said: "I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
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