On not giving up
But as for you, Israel my servant, Jacob my chosen one, descended from Abraham my friend, I have called you back from the ends of the earth, saying, ‘You are my servant.’ For I have chosen you and will not throw you away. Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:8-10
From the text, Isaiah wanted to provide encouragement that God was very much involved with history and the lives of the people. He promised those that belonged to Him that He will carry them through everything. This is why He wants His children to draw strength from Him alone. All of us live with the daily challenge of pressing on and not give up no matter what challenges we are facing. How can we go on when the doctor breaks the news that the biopsy did not turn out well? How can we press on when the bottom drops out? What will we do when the one we loved left us or has gone to be with the Lord and we are left by ourselves? Be reminded that we have a God who lingers around and committed to His people. This truth should help us persevere and go on and not give up. This is what strengthened David after returning home from victory in a battle and found that their wives and daughters were taken captives by Amalekites. “David found strength in the Lord his God” (1 Samuel 30:6). His men turned to him and wanted to stone him for they blamed him for what happened. There were too many reasons why David would give up, yet instead he turned to God and focused on Him and not on his present situation. When we lose sight of our reality that God is with us and instead start to focus on the trials before us, we become bitter and we blame others. This could also lead to misery and self-pity and such emotions could paralyze us. When God calls us His “servant” it means that He is responsible for our well-being. What God is saying to us when we feel like we are alone facing difficulties in life is that, “Don’t give up, instead press on. You can expect from Me My strength, My presence, My peace, My help, and My care.” “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.”
Blessings,
Noel De Guzman
www.my-wbc.com
