“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:28-31 NKJV
I believe one of the tragedies in modern day American culture is we are essentially taught we should quit and leave behind any person, place, or thing that is hard, challenging, difficult, etc. and that does not bring us pleasure, comfort, ease, a feeling of security, etc. and bring great satisfaction to our flesh. But sometimes what it is we really need to do is continue for one simple vitally important reason. Sometimes continuing is exactly what God wants us to do.
Against all odds, facing unfathomably challenging circumstances, having to forsake more than many if not most of us can imagine, those in the Bible who were outstandingly victorious in loving and serving God with all their hearts continued forward in what God called them to do in the strength of God for the glory of God no matter the sacrifices they had to make in order to do so. They were willing to forsake all for God. They put their trust in Him and depended on Him to provide all they needed to press on.
Even as the voices of the devil, your flesh, and the world might be tempting you to quit something in your life to which God has called you whether it be a job, relationship, calling, church, education, responsibility, volunteer work, missions trip, training, writing a book, helping someone, teaching, traveling a long ways, absolutely whatever or whomever, please cry out to God to give you all you need to CONTINUE in the Lord’s will until you have fulfilled what He has placed upon your heart to do.
Perhaps you think you are not strong enough to continue on. Please don’t worry. You don’t need to be strong enough of yourself. God when you yield yourself to Him will give you all the strength you need to complete what He gives you. Amen!
“God is my strength and power, And He makes my way perfect.” 2 Samuel 22:33 NKJV
“I will love You, O LORD, my strength.” Psalms 18:1 NKJV
“The LORD is their strength, And He is the saving refuge of His anointed.” Psalms 28:8 NKJV
I encourage you to do a word search for the word “strength” in the Bible which you can do on a computer or phone app on websites like blueletterbible.org, biblehub.com, biblegateway.com, or my favorites, e-sword.net and Holy Bible by Grace Bible apps.
I also encourage you to read Hebrews chapter 11 to learn about some very special people of God many call “heroes of the faith”.
Lastly, and vitally, I encourage you to read the Bible on a daily basis. In it you will find countless examples of those who chose to deny self, take up their crosses, and follow the Lord! So incredibly encouraging and inspiring to learn about them – and to be reminded of how we, too, are called to forsake all for the Lord and to continue in in whatever it is He calls us to do!
“Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” Luke 9:23 NKJV
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:58 NKJV
Oh, Lord, I beg you, yes, I beg you to bring this message to all whom you desire to read it and that you encourage them through these words you have placed upon my heart for them to press on in whatever you have called them to do! Love them, bless them, lead them, guide them, provide for them, strengthen them, draw them ever closer to yourself, and use them to inspire others to give 100% to you now and forever and ever, AMEN!