DAY 550: ON THE VERGE OF GIVING UP

Today, I was impressed to speak to those who are emotionally and intellectually bending beneath a burden too heavy to bear. The promises of God do not seem to be working for you or your family. You have tried to please God; you pray; you truly love him, but you are right now at the end of your strength and endurance. Your trials increase as you hold on to your faith. It seems to you that God is silent toward you.

Beloved, you are not alone. Multitudes of godly people are suffering in like manner, and Satan whispers, “God’s Word is not true!” We know that is the devourer speaking. Don’t fear the powers of hell. Go to Job 19, and read the whole chapter. Job said “He has fenced up my way, so that I cannot pass; and he has set darkness in my paths. He has stripped me of my glory, and taken the crown from my head. He breaks me down on every side, and I am gone; my hope he has uprooted like a tree” (Job 19:8-10, NKJV).

In the midst of this satanic attack, though, Job cried out, “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and he shall stand at last on the earth; and after my skin is destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!” (Job 19:25-27)

When you feel weighed down by your trials, remember that God said, “Ephraim is joined to idols, let him alone” (Hosea 4:17). No trials or tests for that tribe, but you are not given to idols. You are still the apple of the Lord’s eye. God sees something in you worth working on, and we know “For whom the Lord loves he chastens, and scourges every son whom he receives. If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?” (Hebrews 12:6-7).

It is not pleasant, and it hurts, but it is the Father saving you for his own glory to be revealed in years ahead. He has never loved you more than now. Take heart! God is still speaking to you.

Where else do we go? There is nowhere else. Quitting is not an option.

Exactly! Either it is the truth or it's ALL a lie - and I know I've seen and experienced too much that confirms God is real and loves me and has a plan and purpose for my life to toss it all in the trash.

How strong can a faith be that has never been tested? It's just like Jesus said concerning a house built on sand versus on the rock. When trials and storms come, the foundation of our faith MUST be solid rock and that is Jesus. He is who he claimed to be. He was prophesied about for thousands of years in Scripture and he fulfilled them all except the ones that are still to happen in the last days. He was crucified, died and was buried and he rose again as he said he would three days later. He was seen by over 500 people at one time and his disciples suffered martyrdom rather than deny what they had seen with their own eyes. I know people have died for a lie but NOBODY dies for what they know is a lie!

These truths are what we cling to when the storms and trials happen because we know they serve a purpose:

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, reserved in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power for the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in various trials so that the proven character of your faith—more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and rejoice with an inexpressible and glorious joy, now that you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. (I Peter 1:3-9)

Where else do we go? There is nowhere else. Quitting is not an option.

These truths are what we cling to when the storms and trials happen because we know they serve a purpose:

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