WHEN YOU ARE TEMPTED TO GIVE UP

And he told them a parable to the effect

that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.

(Matt.18:1)

It is easy to get discouraged by what we see happening around you and in our society. The effects of barbarism surround us on every hand. It has been over a hundred years since we have seen a major revival in America. Even those revivals were bore seeds of corruption. We see and hear and feel the wicked results on every hand.

I have begun praying for people involved in the entertainment media. And they often show how barbaric we have become. When I look at our culture, I see no human possibility of redemption. I see nothing but a fearful expectation of judgment (Heb. 10:27). But of course there has never been any earthly hope for humanity.

What does the Bible say about this? It does say things will get worse as our redemption draws near. It also tells us God answers when we pray. It reminds us that God is sovereign over the world. It assures us that no sparrow falls to the ground without His seeing. It tells us we are going to be tempted to give up. And in those times God calls us to keep on praying, keep on trusting, keep on crying out for Him to intervene. Don’t give up.