Never Give In

“Let us run the race that is before us and never give up” (Hebrews 12:1 New Century)

Today’s devotional was written by another one of my heroes, Dr. George Sweeting, Chancellor of Moody Bible Institute. It is from our daily devotional, REAL VICTORY FOR REAL LIFE:

Winston Churchill was asked to bring the commencement address to his alma mater,HarrowSchool.  The auditorium was hot and the program long.  When Churchill was finally introduced, he approached the podium and spoke twenty-nine words: “Never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never – in nothing, great or small, large or petty – never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense.”  Needless to say, they never forgot his speech.

Extraordinary faithfulness was a mark of the early Christians.  Day after day, month after month, year after year, long after the ascension of Jesus, “they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42).  They were steadfast … reliable … they refused to quit.

A requisite for apostolic success was steadfastness.  They depended on each other, just as they depended on Jesus.  The early Christians were a company of equals committed to the Good News and to one another in spite of the consequences.

When the church inAntiochheard of the famine among those inJerusalem, they sent Paul and Barnabas with money to buy food for their starving brothers and sisters (Acts 11:27-30).  Dorcas died, the believers at Joppa sent word to Peter to help their sister in the faith.  All the widows were standing beside her bed when he arrived.  Peter when at their request and raised Dorcas from the dead (Acts 9:36-43).

They were also steadfast in observing the ordinance of Communion.  Receiving “the bread” and “the cup” of Communion, according to Scripture, is not optional.  We’re instructed, “Do this in remembrance of Me” (1 Corinthians 11:24, italics added).  The bread and the cup poignantly underscore our Lord’s steadfastness. Luke said, “He steadfastly set His face to go toJerusalem” (Luke 9:51).

They were also steadfast in prayer.  After the ascension of Jesus, His followers returned to the upper room and “continued with one accord in prayer” (Acts 1:14, italics added).  Prayer influenced every area of their lives.  Prayer is the Lord’s cure for caving in (Luke 18:1).

Our world today argues against longevity.  The attention span of many people has been reduced to fifteen-second sound bites.  A big appetite exists for a quick fix, the sensational, even the bizarre, with little passion for commitment even unto death.

More recent examples of perseverance can be found in stories of missionaries like John and Betty Stamm, who served inChinawith great success.  However, in December 1934, the Communist forces attacked the city where the Stamms served.  John and Betty were led to a clump of pine trees on a hill outside of town, where John was ordered to kneel.  Another quick command was given, a sword flashed, and John was dead.  Betty quivered, but only for a moment.  With another sword stroke, she and John were united forever in heaven.

As the journalists of the world told their story, thousands of people from many lands volunteered to take their place.  Nothing could keep John and Betty from their commitment.  They never gave in.  They were faithful … even to death.

From Too Soon To Quit: Fifty Ways to Experience the Best that Life Has to Offer, reprinted with permission of Dr. George Sweeting —

Team YOU: Psalm 4-6; Proverbs 12; Acts 17:16-34

Motivations: Be a thermostat, not a thermometer! Set the temperature, don’t just register the temperature of those around you.

Practice to Remember: Level 1:Philippians 2:4; Level 2: Philippians 2:5-11

Powered Up:  God always answers us in the deeps, never in the shallows of our soul. Amy Carmichael