DON’T GIVE UP!

Today, I want to identify with those who started year 2007 with great expectations having asked and believed God for specific miracles such as healing, befitting work, financial empowerment, settlement of debts, deliverance from poverty, freedom from childlessness, independence from lack of meaningful progress, repair of broken homes/marriages etc.  I perceive that only a few or none of their requests have been granted to date and they are now disgruntled.  Some of them even doubt the usefulness of God these days and they imagine that it might be more beneficial to seek an ‘alternative’ to God.  If you are in this position, please pause a little bit and let us consider the following facts for support.

1.  There is no credible alternative to God.  Hannah made this explicit in her prayer found in 1 Samuel 2:2.  In it she said:

 ‘’No one is holy like the Lord, for there is none beside you, nor is there any rock like our God’’. 

We can see from this passage that there is no credible alternative to God.  He is the final authority in all situations and with him, nothing is impossible (Luke 1:37).

2.  There is nothing unusual about your current experience(s).   Remember that Jesus Christ never promised us a life devoid of ups and downs ab-initio and he made it very clear in John 16:33 that:

‘’… In the world you will have tribulation; …”

Above indicates very clearly that tribulation and by extension, hardship, uncertainty, frustration, dashed hopes etc are a major part of this world which we cannot brush aside.

3.  God is aware of your plight and he is committed to giving you respite.  King David gave credence to this statement in Psalm 104:14. He said:

‘’For he (i.e. God) knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust’’.

God knows everything about us.  He knows that we are frail and he is prepared to do everything possible to make our lives tolerable.  He is also firmly committed to listening to us and in taking appropriate steps towards assisting us.  No wonder he proclaimed through Prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 65:24) that:

‘’It shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear’’.

Because of the proclamation above, many people have asked why it does appear as if God is slow in fulfilling his promises. Well, I don’t personally think he is slow; rather, I believe he is only being cautious because he is a perfectionist (Ecclesiastes 3:14).  Apostle Peter confirmed this in 2 Peter 3:9 thus:

‘’The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance’’.

We can conclude from above that slackness is not an attribute of God.  He is committed to helping us however, patience is very essential (Matthew 10:22).

Friend, as you fearlessly march towards 2008, please keep God abreast of all your concerns in line with the suggestion of Prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 62:6&7) which says:

‘’…You who make mention of the Lord, do not keep silent.  And give him no rest till he establishes… ’’.

Therefore, please don’t give up! Keep on talking to God; keep on trusting him too and he will make you beautiful in his own time (Ecclesiastes 3:11). 

Merry Christmas in advance.  God bless you.

Jesus is Lord!