do not give up

The lazy man says, “There is a lion outside! I shall be slain in the streets!”

Proverbs 22:13 (NKJV)

Over the past few days we’ve been talking about what we as believers have the power to resist and what we need to submit to in order to walk in the promises of God. Sometimes, without realizing it, we can submit to things we should never tolerate. Like the man in today’s verse, we get complacent. Instead of seeing a lion in the street and deciding to run or defend himself, he gave up without a fight, and many times we do the same thing. We say things like, “The economy is bad. I’m going to lose my job.” Or, “The doctors say I have cancer. I guess I’m on my way out.” We need to develop a positive resistance in us that is committed to running, fighting, or doing whatever is necessary to have what God says we can have! A friend was telling me about a story he read in a book where a Navy Seals Officer was addressing a crowd. “Everyone put your hands up over your head as high as you can go,” he said. When they did, he said, “Alright, now raise them a little further,” and surprisingly they were all able to raise their hands a bit more. You can always go further. You can do so much more than you think you can. God’s Word in your heart and Holy Spirit in you is empowering you to fight. These beliefs in you that are based on the truth of God’s Word will help you to resist those things that are not from God, so keep fighting! You’re not alone! You can exercise the authority you have in Christ! Some would have you believe that you are just a poor, lowly sinner, barely saved by grace. But that is not how God sees you. That is not the inheritance Jesus has left you! Jesus wants you to walk in the fullness of all He has made possible for you. He came that you could have LIFE, abundant life, and He wants you to walk in God’s promises, able to resist the attacks that come against you and your loved ones. He wants you to understand the power you have in Him so you can release that miraculous power into the lives of the people around you!