Don't Quit

Text:  Hebrews 11:13-16

The text for today is such a touching one to me!  One of the things I’ve enjoyed doing in my “advanced years” is attempting to write hymns.  And one of the earliest ones I was blessed to write have to do with this theme of ‘looking for a better country…a heavenly one.”  Or in the words of a verse found in the closing chapter of Hebrews, 13:15, “for here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.”  

All the followers of God referred to in this great chapter of Hebrews 11 were commended for sticking with God throughout the experiences of their lives, because they believed strongly in His promises.  They accepted, by faith, that God is sovereign, His promises reliable, and that this life on earth was not about “them” but about “Him!”  This had to be a choice on their part, just as it has to be a choice today on the part of everyone who comes to Him.  A person must choose to believe what the word of God reveals about Him and His gracious plan of redemption.   As in Romans 1:17 we are told “For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last.  Just as it is written, ‘the righteous will live by faith.”

A study of “faith” sometimes sounds prosaic and overdone to members of the Lords body!  What a shame!  If our young people could be impressed with the convicting truthes taught in the Bible about the faith-walk, the importance of consciously choosing to believe, feeding that faith on the Word daily, praying with developing, increasing faith and trust, and conscientiously choosing friendships that will bolster their faith and be mutually up-building, what a strengthening we would see of the Body of Christ!  Like it is said of Moses here, it would begin to be said more of all of us that “we persevere because we see Him who is invisible!” (Heb. 11:28)

There is the greatest evidence for God and His creation and redemption story than for anything else on earth!  It results in good things in peoples lives, never bad things or evil!  Gal. 5:22 testifies that the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control!  There is no law against these things!  Christianity produces folks whose lives are transformed into caring, serving, loving human beings who are eager to do good!

Choosing to have faith in God and His plan of saving us from death through Christ has the following wonderful results:

           1) Turning us from darkness to light….being forgiven of our sins! (Acts 26:17-18, 1 John 1:5-7)

           2) A redemptive life!  Making a difference in others lives around us as a result of Jesus being in our lives!  (Col. 4:5,6; Eph. 5:15)

           3) A life with a blessed hope!  Read Titus 2:11-14 for one of the summations of the Christian faith-walk that is the best to be found in the New Testament! I challenge us all to memorize this important passage, and let it ever remind us all: live this rewarding life in faith, claim the hope, and don’t quit!

Oh Father, please bless your children who are struggling with their faith and their commitment to you!  Strengthen them to stay the course!  Help them resolve never to quit!   Help them, like Joshua, to choose to serve You, the living God, through the great sacrifice of Jesus, your son!  Help us all to seek the city that is to come until the day you take us from this earthly walk!   In Jesus name we pray…amen!

Jan McCoy

Merkel, Texas