Giving Up Is Not An Option
“Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvelously; for I will work a work in your days, which ye will not believe though it be told you.” Habakkuk 1:5
Do you ever become discouraged at the indifference among folks concerning their spiritual condition? As we attempt to live for the Lord, witnessing, lending a hand to those who need it, living a righteous life before the rest of the world, and desiring to honor God in all that we do, sometimes it seems that we can never get through to others the importance and value in following Christ. If we count ourselves among those who feel like their whole-hearted efforts to promote the gospel of Jesus Christ aren’t making much of an impact, we can somewhat identify ourselves with some rather notable folks from the pages of scripture.
Habakkuk, one of the minor prophets of the Old Testament (referred to as “minor” because their writings were much shorter than those of the major prophets), was so frustrated at God’s delay in bringing judgment upon the people for their idolatry and unrighteousness that he was rather vociferous in his accusations against God. He asked God why He wasn’t hearing his cries of anguish because of the people’s lack of concern for their wicked behavior. When was God going to do something about them? God did answer Habakkuk, assuring him that judgment was coming upon the people of Israel. Habakkuk did come to realize that God has His own timetable and for him to keep trusting in the LORD.
The Apostle Paul was a very successful evangelist and church planter, but not without some major setbacks. He suffered beatings, being pummeled with stones, three shipwrecks, hunger, cold, and hateful treatment by those he was trying to reach with the gospel of Christ. I wonder if he ever considered giving up because of all the hardships. He did pray for relief from a physical ailment, but God chose not to heal him. Many believers today wouldn’t be able to endure what Paul endured without at least giving their mission second thoughts. Paul had the right attitude. He said in II Corinthians 12:10 that he took pleasure in all the negative things that happened to him for Christ’s sake stating, “for when I am weak, then am I strong”.
Elijah, coming off a very successful encounter with the Israelites who had become Baal worshippers and in managing to destroy 450 Baal prophets, suddenly became very fearful because King Ahab’s wife, Jezebel, whom I have identified before as a “mean, straight-razor totin’ woman”, threatened to kill him in 24 hours. He decided to give up in his pursuit to wipe out idolatry in Israel and run for his life. He considered his efforts useless because the people of Israel acted like they were going to reform, but they didn’t. He was definitely “down in the dumps”, feeling sorry for himself, until God came to him, speaking in His still small voice, and encouraged him to continue on for God wasn’t through with him yet. Elijah was highly privileged in that he didn’t die, but was taken directly to heaven via a chariot of fire in a whirlwind (II Kings 2:11). That must have been some kind of ride!
So, if we feel like these prophets felt who were trying their best to serve God, yet did not always have those warm, fuzzy feelings, let’s not get discouraged. God is never through with those who serve Him until their last breath on this earth is taken. We don’t always see the results of our labors in our lifetime, but God assures us that His word never returns to Him without accomplishing that for which it was intended (Isaiah 55:11).