Earlier this summer, “love” was all that was being preached about – or all that I heard. I have been fighting giving up for a month now. Maybe more. And, for the last week or so, the prophetic circles are all saying… endure the race. Finish strong. Keep going. Do NOT give up.
LORD, forgive me for wanting to quit. I am sorry. I will endure.
Exhausted But Still in Pursuit
When Gideon came to the Jordan, he and the three hundred men who were with him crossed over, exhausted but still in pursuit” (Judges 8:4). During the season of the harvest, we must not allow ourselves to become content, distracted, discouraged, grow weary, retreat, or worst of all quit. If the Lamb of God is to receive the full reward of His suffering, as Paul instructed Timothy, we too must learn to “endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory” (II Timothy 2:10). To endure all things, regardless of what those things may be, will bring about a great reward W All Scripture references are New King James version. “ 49 and fruitfulness beyond what we have ever dreamed. This fruit will become evident both in this life and especially in the life to come. Our choosing to endure all things will determine whether some make it into heaven or not. It will also have a part in determining whether nations rise or fall. Crossing over into the promises and greater purposes of God does not mean our warfare will have ended, but to the contrary, this will lead to some things getting harder, and at times much harder. Yet in this case the end will without question justify the means for those who stay the course and do not draw back. Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him. But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul (Hebrews 10:38-39). God had reduced Gideon’s army from twenty-two thousand to a mere three hundred men. Yet the army they were about to face, though initially described as being as numerous as locusts whose camels were without number, was still over fifteen thousand strong. Gideon and his men were out-numbered fifty to one. To make things worse, Gideon approached the men of Succoth and Penuel asking for bread to feed his army prior to their going into battle. The men were tired, weak, and hungry. They needed help from others as they sought to fulfill the will of God. Requesting bread for his army was certainly reasonable. However, both the men of Succoth and Penuel denied Gideon’s request. Although exhausted, they refused to retreat and remained in pursuit of the armies of the kings of Midian. Gideon’s army was denied what would have strengthened them physically and encouraged them spiritually. But regardless, under Gideon’s leadership these men, being focused on their mission, were prepared to go it alone. They refused to let go of the plow God had placed in 50 The MorningStar Journal / September 2015 their hands. They would not allow themselves or one another to look back. “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Galatians 6:9). But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62). On a certain occasion Jesus looked Simon Peter straight in the eyes and said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren” (Luke 22:31-32). Peter would soon be severely tested. But he was being prayed for by Someone who believed in him and was confident His prayers for Peter would be answered. If Peter endured and his faith remained, others would be strengthened and saved. Remaining faithful would reap an eternal reward. The greatest harvest in all of history is at the door. But it will not come without severe testing and trials. Additionally, as we move forward we can be sure Satan will look for an opportunity to sift the church as wheat. In the days immediately ahead, we must remind others and ourselves how the Apostle Paul went about the villages of Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch strengthening the souls of the disciples “exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, ‘We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God’” (see Acts 14:22). Tribulation and troubles are unavoidable and necessary passageways into the kingdom. A church is emerging like Gideon, who on the brink of war became weak and exhausted. Interestingly, the word translated exhausted in its original language can refer to someone being extremely fatigued, sluggish, lethargic, languid, weak or feeble, physically tired, lacking in energy, sickly, 51 weary, and ready to faint. This is how the Scriptures define Gideon’s army on the eve of war. In spite of weakness, Gideon and his men stayed in pursuit, fighting against insurmountable odds. Regardless of the circumstances, Gideon remained confident He had heard from God. Crossing over into the greater works and greatest promises will bring about new and extremely difficult challenges, some of which have been reserved for the saints on the earth at the end of the age. The knowledge of the glory of God will become known throughout the earth by those who, at times, will become exhausted, but will endure all things, staying focused on the joy set before them. These will continue in pursuit of the One who has called them and will forever be with them. Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:1-2). “And lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (see Matthew 28:20). David White