Footprints In The Sand

Sometimes when I go to the gym or go walking I have to push myself to stay the course and not cut my

workout short. One day last week I was really tempted to turn around and go back home. The weather was humid and my legs felt unwilling to cooperate, but I persevered and eventually my muscles loosened up and I completed my exercise comfortably.

There will be other days like that one, just as in life there are days when we just feel like giving up. Our job, marriage, ministry, life in general may seem frustrating or even difficult at times, and we may think, why bother? But know this: wherever you are now it's God's will for your life. He has given you that husband/wife, those children, that position, and He has equipped you to carry out that task. So, don't give up! Persevere, fight the good fight of faith. You know what they say about the grass being greener on the other side. It only appears to be greener.

The apostle Paul knew what it was to become discouraged. He'd been beaten, imprisoned, shipwrecked and suffered all kinds of hardship for the sake of the gospel, but yet he persisted and left a wonderful legacy for the church. He wrote,  "And let us not be weary in well doing : for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not" (Galatians 6: 9). 

Sometimes I'm tempted to give up this blog. It takes time, even though I only post weekly, and I don't earn a penny from it. Working on my novel devours even more time. Sometimes I wonder if it will ever be worth the trouble, but when I consider that the apostle Paul did most of his writing in a jail cell - dark, cold, wet and crawling with all kinds of unwelcome visitors - I have no reason to complain, or to give up. Besides, I know that  "every one of us shall give account of himself to God" (Romans 14 : 12).

Are you weary, feel like giving up? God never gives up on us. Ever read the poem Footprints In The Sand? If you haven't, you can read it here.

And here's a video to bless you further.


 

Stand Your Ground - Part III

The last woman I'm writing about who stood her ground is the "importunate widow" spoken of in Luke 18. Here's the parable Jesus told about this woman: "There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: 3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying , Avenge me of mine adversary. 4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; 5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. 6 And the Lord said , Hear what the unjust judge saith . 7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?"


The NIV translates the word "importunate" as "persistent", a word we are more familiar with. This woman was persistent, even though this judge sounded like he was not an approachable person. He feared neither God nor man, yet this widow persisted in presenting her case before him. In other words, she stood her ground. If she could do that with an unrighteous judge, how much more should we keep on praying to our Righteous Judge?

Are you facing a formidable foe today? Notice this woman did not look for a male relative or friend or attorney to represent her. She went herself. Sometimes when we are faced with a difficult situation we may ask a friend or the pastor or even our church to pray for us. That is good. But we must also go before God ourselves. He wants to hear us. He wants us to show Him that we have the faith to come before Him "day and night" until we get our answer. 1 Peter 5: 7 says, " Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you."

Stand your ground. Cast all your care upon Him today. God bless.

Related articles

• Importunity's Lesson
• What Time Is It ? It is PRAYING TIME !
• Bishop MacEvilly's Commentary on Luke 18:1-8