Therefore, since God in his mercy has given us this new way, we never give up.
2 Corinthians 4:1 NLT
By: Dori Gomes
Have you ever stopped to think all that Jesus was up against, in his time here on earth? In human flesh, like you and me, he walked this earth and faced every type of pain and trial we could think to endure; and he did it without complaint, without fear, and without giving up. From an early age, he was mocked in the temple for not being formally educated, yet that wouldn’t keep him from the teaching there. He was ridiculed for his unconventional relationships and methods, but that didn’t stop him from pursing the least of these. People attempted to defame him every chance they got, but he didn't stay quiet. His friends doubted him, betrayed him, questioned him, ridiculed him, walked away from him, let him down, and lied to him, but he kept on going. When he was lamenting the loss of a friend and suffering himself, he didn’t stop ministering to others. When he was hungry, thirsty, and exhausted, desiring only to get away and rest with his disciples, he didn’t run and seek the comfort he so desired. Instead, he turned and ministered to and fed the 5,000 who were following Him. He didn’t give up. He didn’t turn away. He looked to God for strength.
When He had fasted and was then faced with temptation from Satan he did not quit; he did not give in, he turned away. He, knowing the outcome, went with the Roman soldiers and did not quit. Jesus did not quit when he was treated unfairly by Pilot. He did not quit when he was crowned with thorns that would gouge his brow. He did not quit when he was battered, bruised, dehydrated, exhausted, and condemned. He could have stopped it all when they were scourging his body; when they whipped him with leather straps holding steal balls strapped bones and nails that would rip the skin from his back and eventually tear away everything down to the bone. Thus, leaving his back to appear as ribbons of skin, muscle, tissue, and ligaments. He could have quit, but he never gave up. Then, once near death, the soldiers tossed him face up on the pavement and beat the thorns into his head and smashed his skull in— but not to death, he would choose to suffer and not give up.
Jesus always made a way. He showed us his strength in every situation and then left it with us in the form of the Holy Spirit. So, when life gets too hard, when the pain and heartache is too much, when you are facing an all-consuming fire, dig deep like Jesus and find the strength that he left in you.
Do you want to give up because you don’t know how it ends?
He does, he is the light the truth and the way and He will direct your path (Prov. 3:6).
Do you feel like you want to quit because you don’t have the means?
He does, the heavens, the earth and all that are in them are his (Ps 24:1).
Do you want to give up because you don’t have the answers you need? He does, he is all-knowing (Matt. 24:36).
Do you want to give up because you are tired?
Remember, you can do all things through Christ who gives you strength (Phil 4:13).
Do you feel like throwing in the towel because no one is there to help?
He is a very present help in a time of need (Ps 46:1). We can cast our burdens on him. His yoke is easy, and his burdens are light (Matt 11: 28-30).
Don’t give in, lean in, “He is the new way, we never give up” (2 Cor. 4:1). He's already reaching out for you, patiently waiting for you to extend your hand. Don't give up, look up.
