20 July 2008
Don't Give Up Now!
July/21/2008 12:01 PM
Is there something that you’re believing God for? Are you praying and standing on the word of God for your breakthrough? Then hold fast to your faith! Hebrews 10:23 says, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope, without waivering, for He who promised is faithful.”
Think about the story of Jairus in Mark chapter 5. He was a leader in the local synagogue who came to Jesus in a heart-wrenching crisis. Jairus pressed through the crowd and pleaded with Jesus saying, “My little daughter lies at the point of death. Come and lay Your hands on her, that she may be healed, and she will live.”
He went into the presence of Jesus and not only made a request but a very strong confession of faith, “and she will live.” Glory! Jesus and Jairus started towards Jairus’ house. On the way, Jesus stopped to heal a woman with an issue of blood. I wonder what was running through Jairus’ mind at this point? His thoughts may have been something like this: Jesus, my request is much more urgent! If you stop to heal everyone along the way, then my daughter could die!” He may have been tempted to get anxious and worry; doubts began to creep in. In the same way, when we don’t see our answer manifested right away, we begin to waiver.
As Jesus was saying to the woman, “Daughter, your faith has made you well….” a messenger, bearing an evil report, arrived from Jairus’ house. The messenger said to Jairus, “Your daughter is dead. Why bother the teacher any further?”
This report was the complete opposite of Jairus’ confession of faith. It sounded like an announcement of defeat. His prayers seemed of no effect. He could have given up right there, as many of us would; but he took hold of the next words of Jesus, “Do not be afraid, only believe”.
Notice that even when death appeared to have won at Jairus’ house, Jesus said to all those who gathered, “Why make all this commotion and weep? The child is not dead, but sleeping.” Jesus then put out all the unbelievers and evil reporters. When He went into the room where the girl lay, He took only the girl’s parents and His faith partners, Peter, James and John.
If you are determined to hold fast to your faith, then you can’t hang out with the doubters! You must hook yourself up with those who are in agreement. In verse
41, Jesus took the child by the hand and said to her, “talitha cumin,” which is translated, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” Immediately the girl arose up and walked.
You may feel like Jairus; that what you are praying and believing for has not manifested yet. It even appears dead with no signs of life. You may be tempted to waiver because things are not happening in the time frame you expected.
Notice what else it says in Hebrews 3:6 “…but Christ as a Son over His own house, WHOSE HOUSE WE ARE, IF WE HOLD FAST the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope FIRM TO THE END!”
Tie a knot of faith to the end of your rope and hold fast. Bring your petition before Him and hold fast to your confession. Don’t give up now! You are closer than you think to your answer!
kimconnor@whwc.org
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