Hang on to the Promises

Imagine yourself in a dark pit with nothing but a rope to hold onto. You can't see what's below, but you know deep down that it's something terrible. Your only hope is to climb the rope toward the faint light at the top. You're tired, your hands are cut and bleeding from the rough rope, and the pain is almost unbearable. But you know that your survival depends on reaching that light. Sometimes, you feel like giving up, thinking it might be easier to just let go, but you realize that this isn't the answer. All your hopes and dreams are at the top of the rope, waiting for you, if you just keep going, no matter how hard it gets. You must stay strong for just a while longer because your rewards at the top are great and worth the sacrifice.

I Peter 5:10 NIV “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. Joshua 1:9 NIV “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

This verse explains that the prizes waiting for us who endure until we reach our goal are worth the sacrifices.  Philippians 3:12-14 GNT “I do not claim that I have already succeeded or have already become perfect. I keep striving to win the prize for which Christ Jesus has already won me to himself.  Of course, my friends, I really do not[a] think that I have already won it; the one thing I do, however, is to forget what is behind me and do my best to reach what is ahead.  So I run straight toward the goal in order to win the prize, which is God's call through Christ Jesus to the life above.”

When you feel like giving up, encourage yourselves in the Lord like David did and stand strong until the prize is in your possession. 1 Samuel 30:6-8 KJV “And David was greatly distressed; for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.” We hope that all of you have someone to stand with you in faith until you win the prize, but when you are alone in the battle, Jesus promises to be there giving you strength. You can picture Him lifting the rope helping you reach the top of your journey, so when life gets really tough and almost unbearable, hang in there because you will reap a Godly reward for not giving up.