Take Courage

Don’t Quit, Keep Pressing On!

Sometimes circumstances or people can give us a swift unexpected kick. At times like that we have to remember some foundational truths. One being, Christians are involved in spiritual warfare. We live in a war zone, all day, and every day. But there is help and there is hope. They are found in the person of Jesus Christ and the promises of the Word of God.

“That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him for that day.” (2 Timothy 1:12 NIV)

Second, those of us who are in Christ, who know Him personally as Lord and Savior, can be assured of His presence in our lives. Whether in good times or bad times we can be confident of His presence and provision. Our enemy may throw fiery arrows at us trying to get us to doubt the Word of God. But we need to remember that is part of the Christian life.

“But,” the doubting soul may ask, “what if I cannot grasp this assurance, or vouch for those evidences which I once thought to be true?” Then try the following prescriptions as a tonic for your ailing faith.

First of all, renew your repentance, as if you had never repented. Put forth fresh acts of faith, as if you had never believed, and you will beat Satan at his own game. Let him tell you that your former actions were hypocritical, or that they are old and worthless. What can he say against your present affirmation of faith? In this way, the very accusations he uses to drive you away from God, instead draw you closer to Him.

If he still haunts you with fears of you spiritual condition, then apply to the throne of grace and ask for a new copy of the old evidence, which you have misplace. The original is in the pardon office in heaven, of which Christ is the Master. And if you are a saint, your name is on record in that court. Appeal to God, and hear the news from heaven, rather than listen to the tales your enemy brings from hell. If you would argue less with Satan and pray more to God about your fears, they would soon be resolved. Can you expect truth from a liar, or comfort from an adversary? Turn your back on him and go to God. Try not to worry. Sooner or later you will receive your certificate of assurance. (from The Christian In Complete Armour by

William Gurnall, Feb. 16)

Third, my brothers and sisters, we have to keep pressing on. Don’t give up on your faith in God. Don’t believe the father of lies who tries to tell you that either God doesn’t care or He simply can’t do anything about your problem. Remember the words of Paul, Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me (Phil. 3:12). We have a responsibility to lay aside what easily entangles us and look toward Jesus and press on. He has overcome and in Him we are overcomers! Don’t quit, keep pressing on!

You Mustn’t Quit

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,

When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill,

When the funds are low and the debts are high

And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,

When care is pressing you down a bit,

Rest! if you must – but never quit.

Life is queer, with its twist and turns,

As every one of us sometimes learns,

And many a failure turns about

When he might have won if he’d stuck it out;

Stick to your task, though the pace seems slow –

You may succeed with one more blow.

Success is failure turned inside out –

The silver tint of the clouds of doubt –

And you never can tell how close you are,

It may be near when it seems afar;

So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit –

It’s when things seem worst that YOU MUSTN’T QUIT.

–         author Unknown, from Along The Road To Manhood

by Stu Webber, p. 92.