DON’T GIVE UP

2 Corinthians 1:8 (NLT)
     We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it.

Father, this is such a startling confession by the Apostle Paul. Yet, it speaks so painfully well of his human condition and frailty. Life with all of its wonders can seem like a wreck at times.

 

And the Apostle continues and says: ”In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead.”

2 Corinthians 1:9 (NLT)

Father that is our hope in times of debilitating despair, to not give up. Well do I remember Father, many years ago when in a season of brokenness, and barren dryness of soul the following song was like soft rain that brought such refreshing and renewal.

Don’t give up
Someone really loves you
Don’t give up
Someone really cares
Don’t give up
Someone really loves you
And that someone is the Lord

Keep the faith
Someone really loves you
Keep the faith
Someone really cares
Keep the faith
Someone really loves you
And that someone is the Lord

And Father I recall your word in a very personal way: “Long ago the LORD said to me: “I have loved you, Don, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself. ⁴ I will rebuild you, my son. You will again be happy and dance merrily with your tambourines.” Jeremiah 31:3-4 (NLT)

Father thank you that I have lived to see that day and tell the story of that love which always encourages us to: Don’t Give Up.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwKw6owdrFc 

Healing Grace - Alive @ Saddleback - Album Rick Muchow “Don’t Give Up”

 

BLACK SABBATH

Luke 22:52-53 (ESV)
     ⁵² Then Jesus said to the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders, who had come out against him, "Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs? ⁵³ When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness."

 

John 20:19 (HCSB)
     In the evening of that first day of the week, the disciples were ⌊gathered together⌋ with the doors locked because of their fear of the Jews.

Father when I meditate on these verses and understand that the day between the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus was the darkest of times for the disciples. Judas had betrayed Jesus, Peter had denied him and the rest of the disciples had forsaken him running for their lives into the dark shadows of that dreadful night in Gethsemane. Gripped and nearly paralyzed by fear they now huddled together uncertain of anything. It was the gloom of the tomb that obliterated their hope and made that Saturday a Black Sabbath.

Father enable us to realize that without some insight into the deep trauma of those disciples’ depression and despondency we can never appreciate what the light of the resurrection really means which according to Your Word is: “The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light. And for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow, a light has shined.” Matthew 4:16 (NLT)

Father thank Your for that Light which means there will never be another Black Sabbath. “Christ died once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him.” Hebrews 9:28 (NLT)