Don’t Give Up! Part II

In the gospel of Matthew Jesus talked about some tough things that will take place in the last days:

False Christ’s/Deception

Wars and rumors of wars

Nations rising against nations

Famines

Pestilence

Earthquakes in various places

Sorrows

Persecution

Many people offended

Betrayal

Hatred

False prophets

Lawlessness abounding
The love of many growing cold

(see vs. 5-12)

After Jesus told us these things he said, “But he who endures to the end shall be saved.” (vs. 13)  The word endures, here, according to my New Spirit Filled Life Bible note, means,

“To holds one’s ground in conflict, bear up against adversity, hold out under stress, stand firm, persevere under pressure, wait calmly and courageously.  It is not passive resignation to fate and mere patience, but the active, energetic resistance to defeat that allows calm and brave endurance.”

Now there’s another thing Jesus says, and this is the part that gets me excited.  He says the “gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.” (vs. 14) 

This tells me there’s going to be a group of people, no matter how bad things get, who are going to be radiant with the love of Jesus, passionate for reaching the lost.  I imagine a joyful arming of the Lord marching out victorious in battle, winning the hearts of others for the Lord.  I think of the group from my church going to Honduras on July 16th to make a difference for the kingdom of God.  During our week in Honduras, joining with a much larger group and Light of Life International ministries, we will distribute food to the poor, share the love of Jesus, minister in churches, and participate in a large, historic prayer gathering for the nation. 

Life is full of many cares and many things we could be worried about.  I don’t want, in any way, to trivialize the challenges we all face.  One of the keys to endurance, to not giving up, I believe, is having our eyes focused on our eternal, heavenly reward.  In our place of prayer, seeking the Lord, we discover what is really important to His heart.  As we get involved in kingdom work we are energized by His Spirit.

Certainly there are many trials of this life that can wear us down.  There’s great need to endure in light of the conflicts, the adversity, the stress, and the pressures we face.  Nevertheless, no matter how difficult things are, we can actively and energetically resist all feelings of weariness, defeat and discouragement by the power of God's Holy Spirit inside of us.  As we focus our hearts on God above, where our true home is, we are strengthened by the power of His might and filled with joy for this journey.