(Gal 6:9 NLT) So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.
This morning I am led to take a pause from the Proverbs series in order to teach something the Father has been dealing with me about. In 2007 the Father had me to teach a series entitled “Faith and Patience – the Power Twins.” The foundational scripture for the series came from the Hebrew letter where the author wrote, “We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised” (6:12). In the series I explained how we need both faith and patience to obtain the promises of God. If you are a Christian with patience, but no faith, then you will train yourself to hold on, to endure, to suffer, but you will never see any change in your situation, because you are not walking in faith. However, if you have faith, but no patience, then you will get excited about the Word of God, you will pray with energy and anticipation, but you won’t last and you will eventually give up before you actually see the manifestation of the promises of God in your life.
In 2008 the Father had me to teach Faith and Patience VOL II and I entitled the series, “Joy and Peace in Believing.” The foundational scripture for the series was based upon something Paul wrote to the church in Rome, when he said, “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (15:13). In that series I taught how there is normally a space between our prayer and the performance, a space between our confession and the completion, a space between “Amen” and “There it is;” and in that space things may get worse before they get better. That’s where Joy and Peace in Believing come in. If you have the excitement that comes from joy, coupled with the serenity that comes from peace, then you will be able to hold on until your change comes!
It’s now 2012 and I am excited about the fact that the Father has led me to teach Faith and Patience VOL III. The title of this third installment is straightforward: “Never Give Up!” I know that if I am led to teach on this, it is because people need it right now. I talk to people all the time who are hurting, who are waiting for a significant change in their lives, but who admit that sometimes their frustration causes them to question God, to question their faith, or to simply give up on what they were believing God for. When you pray and you say you are believing God, how long can you wait? What if what you are believing God for does not happen in a week? What about three weeks? What about three months? How about three years? Will you hold on?
So what does this mean to you today? It means that no matter who you are, if you wait long enough, there will come a day when you feel the pressure to give up on what you are believing God for. But living the life of faith requires us to HOLD ON, no matter how long it takes, in order for us to see the manifestation of God’s promises in our lives. Abraham and Sarah waited 25 years for Isaac, David waited 13 years for the throne, Joseph waited over 20 years for his dream to come to pass, Joshua waited 40 years to take possession of Canaan, and Caleb waited 45 years for his mountain. Most of us won’t even wait 45 days. In this series we will learn the importance of holding on and Never Giving Up!
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You in advance for this series. I know You have great plans for my life and You give me great and precious promises. I stand on Your promises by faith and I believe, with great expectation, that they will come to pass in my life. I am a believer and not a doubter. I walk in faith and not fear. I stand, and having done all… I stand some more. I refuse to throw in the towel of my faith. Faith and patience are both in operation in my life. I will not grow weary in well doing, for I am convinced that in due season, when the time is right, I shall reap my harvest, if I don’t give up. And since I refuse to give up, I declare that I shall reap. No matter how long it takes, I will hold on until my change comes! In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper!
