You Cannot Give Up Now

A person's true self is known when circumstances, whether victory or failure, push him or her to the farthest end. Try to stretch a rubber band and release it at once, what do you notice? That is similar to a person who is trying to adjust to a sudden and intense change. After the rubber band lands, it will settle. For every spectator in any race or game, it is wise to maintain a cool state and allow players to first deal with their joys or frustrations, whatever the case may be.

Being emotionally carried into their reactions may be unwise because the wearer only knows the greatest pain due a tight shoe. It is okay to react, but not at the expense of loosing self respect or control. Again, reaction should not be as a result of manipulation, or mob psychology. Victory or losing can both bring fatigue. 

1 Kings 19:1-21

And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, also how he had executed all the prophets with the sword. 2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time.” 3 And when he saw that, he arose and ran for his life, and went to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there.

4 But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said, “It is enough! Now, Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!”

5 Then as he lay and slept under a broom tree, suddenly an angel touched him, and said to him, “Arise and eat.”6 Then he looked, and there by his head was a cake baked on coals, and a jar of water. So he ate and drank, and lay down again. 7 And the angel of the Lord came back the second time, and touched him, and said, “Arise and eat, because the journey is too great for you.” 8 So he arose, and ate and drank; and he went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights as far as Horeb, the mountain of God. 9 And there he went into a cave, and spent the night in that place; and behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and He said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

10 So he said, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.” 11 Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; 12 and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.

13 So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him, and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 14 And he said, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts; because the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.” 15 Then the Lord said to him: “Go, return on your way to the Wilderness of Damascus; and when you arrive, anoint Hazael as king over Syria. 16 Also you shall anoint Jehu the son of Nimshi as king over Israel. And Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel Meholah you shall anoint as prophet in your place. 17 It shall be that whoever escapes the sword of Hazael, Jehu will kill; and whoever escapes the sword of Jehu, Elisha will kill. 18 Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.”

19 So he departed from there, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he was with the twelfth. Then Elijah passed by him and threw his mantle on him. 20 And he left the oxen and ran after Elijah, and said, “Please let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you.” And he said to him, “Go back again, for what have I done to you?” 21 So Elisha turned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen and slaughtered them and boiled their flesh, using the oxen’s equipment, and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he arose and followed Elijah, and became his servant.

Elijah had seen and known what God can do: raising a son, feed him through a raven (which loves meat), stop the rain (1 Kings 17); command a king to run, make fire fall from heaven (1 Kings 18). He knew the power of God. The same hero who had been used by God mightily and had the power of God work through him reached a point of being broken by Jezebel's threats. This same hero had his spirit broken. 

Regardless of threats and other influences, the purposes of God cannot be thwarted, either by the devil's wishes, or by men's wishes. 

After Elijah almost gave up, God restored him and he went on to fulfill the purpose of God by anointing kings and prophets. 

Jonah also wanted to give up after he had pleaded with Nineveh to repent, and they did. He sat also desired to die. These are two prophets of God who desired to die, than live. 

The enemy had blindfolded Elijah. God's purpose was not for Elijah to die, but to go up to heaven alive. 

The enemy may see the miracles in our near future and bring discouragements, to make us give up on the way and therefore miss out on our miracles. Whenever we have breakthroughs, we should be aware of the devices of the enemy. If you see discouragements, remind the enemy of the promises of God, and of His power. Remind him that God has done us well before, and can still do us well. 

God knows how to send help. You cannot give up now; God has another Elisha for you. You are not alone. God is about to send you help. Do not let God miss you on your address, having gone to get discouraged. God can do it again, if He has done it once. He can do it again and again. You may be at the point of giving up, but be sure that you can bounce back again and receive your help. 

Ephesians 6:10-20

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— 19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Paul knew that the battle we are in is not physical, but spiritual. We are the ones with the weapons, not the enemy. All we have to do is use the weapons. 

Paul and Silas knew what weapon they had, and used it: the weapon of praise (Acts 16:25). You cannot give up, as you have the appropriate weapons. Jesus did not promise the absence of jails and trouble, but gave us the appropriate weapons to fight while there. Paul and Silas not only prayed, but also praised. 

We have the whole armor of God. 

Shadrack, Misheck and Abednego used the weapon of faith, and brought the fourth man down. We cannot give up now. My business is to use the right weapon, and glorify God. God is not glorified when we are giving up; He is glorified when we rise back up again. 

In the den of lions, Daniel chose to use the warmth of the lions as a pillow for the night. Those who know their God shall be strong and do exploits. In whatever form of a den, just be still and know He is God. God will turn the enemy who was set against you to be your pillow for your comfort, a stepping-stone for your promotion and a platform to glorify the Almighty God. Celebrate the den; it's for your good and for God's glory.

The intention of the enemy is to abort your miracle, and thus thwart God's purpose. Faith never fails. The moment you know your purpose, the enemy starts making your troubles worse. He did it with Shadrach, Misheck and Abednego, by having the furnace heated up 7 times hotter than it was. He also did this with Moses, bringing discouragements through increase of labor for the children of Israel, in Egypt (Exodus 5). God will never leave us, nor forsake us, even if we are pushed to the corner. Fear not. He will uphold you with His righteous right hand (Isaiah 41:10). The one who began a good work in you will bring it to completion (Philippians 1:6). 

Zechariah 4:6

Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the Lord of hosts.

The Spirit of God is our Helper, and He will NEVER fail to help you. When in a corner, speak what is positive. Your victory will come through what you speak (Revelations 12:11). 

David told Goliath what he wanted to do, not out of fear (1 Samuel 17). There is a cause, you cannot give up now. In every situation, God has His timing. Just like Jesus told His mother in John 2 that His time had not yet arrived, we have to wait on the timing of the Lord; we will taste the sweetest wine if we do this. 

Giving up is overdue. The Comforter is here. 

This is what will make us not give up:

1.  If we continue to confess victory, we shall never give up. The Shunamite woman told Elisha "it is well." (2 Kings 4). Ezekiel caused the dry bones to live again, by continual confession (Ezekiel 37). 

2.  If we purpose to press on and focus our faith to the Alpha and Omega

(Philippians 3:13-14). 

3.  If we strengthen the feeble knees, and fear not (Isaiah 41:10; 33:3). 

4.  If we wait on God (Psalm 40). He will place us firmly on the rock. Wait on the Lord patiently. (Isaiah 40:28-31, Matthew 11:28). 

5.  If we have faith in God; without worrying about tomorrow (Matthew 6:25-34). Do not worry, have faith in God. 

6.  If we encourage ourselves in the Lord, and encourage one another (1 Thessalonians 3:7; 4:18; Hebrews 3:13). 

7.  If we allow God to break our spirits afresh. Jesus breathed on the disciples, and gave them the Holy Spirit. Let Him refresh your spirit. He will always be the Good Shepherd. 

Amen. 

-- Pastor Mary Mugo. 

(10/3/13 Sunday Service Sermon, Africa Transformation Mission. Pramukh Plaza, 6th Floor.)

Pastor Mary Mugo is a Pastor at Africa Transformation Mission, a ministry under Christ Harvesters Ministries.