NEVER GIVING UP
Today's reading: 1 Chronicles 10-14

"When the Israelites in the Jezreel Valley saw that their army had been routed and that Saul and his sons were dead, they abandoned their towns and fled. So the Philistines moved in and occupied their towns." 1 Chronicles 10:7 NLT

Maybe you 'know' people who give up easily?

Maybe you 'know' them quite well. So well in fact that some days it feels as if you are living in their skin?

If you 'know' that person well, you understand that clearly their heartfelt intention is not to give up, give in or throw in the towel.

But it gets hard. Real hard.

You, I mean they, don't feel like fighting anymore.

It takes longer than ever expected. A lot longer.

There is more intensity involved.

Other great Christians you, I mean they, know have turned tail and run. And I, I mean they, are left to fight it alone.

The enemy is bigger than you, I mean they, had ever imagined and the chains he has you, I mean them, chained with won't budge.

So I consider quitting. Stopping. Giving up. Abandoning my hopes. Okay, so maybe it is personal...

And my enemy moves right in. In full force. With all his baggage. With a very smug look on his face. Reminding me of my failure, my weakness and my once glowing zeal. He is a very close, too close, reminder of the white flag I waved in defeat.

But here's what I'm reminded of this morning, by God's grace, in His love, with His gentle whisper to my soul--my story doesn't have to end there. Satan has not won the battle for my soul, so I can continue. I can rest up, re-fortify and go at it again--and again--and again, if necessary.

I can pack my enemy up, throw his luggage to the curb and re-claim what's mine...who is with me???