WHEN TEMPTED TO QUIT...DON'T!

WHEN TEMPTED TO QUIT…DON’T!

Rafael Solano was discouraged and physically exhausted.  He sat on a boulder in a dry river bed and announced to his prospecting companions, “I’m through!  There’s absolutely no use going on with this nonsense any longer.  You see this pebble?  I guess this makes about 999,000 rocks I’ve picked up so far – and no diamond yet.  If I pick up another it will be one million, but what’s the use?  I quit!”

This occurred in 1942 after these three men had spent months searching for diamonds in South America.  They worked untiringly – bending, stooping, gathering endless pebbles – never finding even a trace of diamonds.  But they never considered quitting until Solano became discouraged.  “Well, I guess we might as well stop,” one of his men agreed, “but just pick up one more rock and make it an even million.”  “All right,” Solano said reluctantly as he kneeled down to retrieve one more.  It was almost the size of a hen’s egg.  “Here it is,” he declared with a flourish, “my very last rock!”  Weeks later, a famous New York jeweler named Harry Winston paid Rafael Solano the sum of $200,000 for that one-millionth-rock, which turned out to be the largest diamond ever discovered to that date!

Whenever you are tempted to quit, don’t!  It’s too soon to quit…so go back and pick up one more rock.

I Corinthians 15:58 confirms this:
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Joe Gladys, our high school football coach, repeatedly counseled us players: “Winners never quit; and quitters never win!”  American football is played in four quarters.  By the fourth quarter on the gridiron, everyone is extremely sweaty, emotionally drained and physically exhausted.  Mr. Gladys insisted that the perseverance displayed in the fourth quarter would usually determine the outcome of the game.  Tiredness was no excuse.  Pain was no excuse.  “When the going gets tough, the tough get going!” he shouted.

My friend, do YOU have ‘fourth quarter tenacity’…or are you prone to just quit and walk away because life brings on an occasional ‘sweat’ or because circumstances leave you feeling drained and exhausted?

I have observed that satanic attacks seem to be heightened just before the revelation of divine blessing.  It is almost as if Satan ‘knows’ when we are in close proximity to our promised destiny, so he intensifies the battle to distress and discourage us.  But we are not ignorant of his devices, so we will not allow him to gain such a carnal or sensory advantage over us.  We will always triumph as we walk by faith, not by sight. (II Corinthians 2:11 and 5:7)

There are at least five reasons why YOU MUST CONTINUE:

First of all, no prize is awarded for partial completion of the race.  You must run ALL THE WAY to the finish line. (II Timothy 4:7-8)

Secondly, others (who may be struggling) are closely observing your “fight of faith.” (I Timothy 6:12)  Their ability to win may be directly tied to the victory that YOU demonstrate and model before them.

Thirdly, there are unimaginable rewards awaiting believers who endure to the end. (I Corinthians 2:9)

Fourthly, your perseverance in the face of Satan’s full frontal attack is an act of worship.  Your victory gives ultimate praise and glory to God. (I Corinthians 6:19-20)

Finally, all of the creation is groaning and waiting for the “manifestation of the sons of God.”  Your ‘son-ship’ is clearly revealed as you win out over the set-backs and temptations of a fallen and corrupt world system. (Romans 8:19-22)

My sisters and brothers, please be encouraged to continue.  “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning!” (Psalm 30:5b)  Above all, do not allow any person or any circumstance to rob you of your crown of life, which the Lord promised to give you on that final Day of Judgment. (James 1:12)

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!