Struggling With Defeat?

But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions; Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used. For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

-Hebrews 10:32-39 (King James Version)

On our Talkin' Scripture broadcast this week, we began talking about some characteristics of a changed life, and we were speaking specifically about patience in times of trials. We looked at these verses in Hebrews 10, but I think I stopped a little too soon in these verses during the broadcast. That's why we're looking, again, at this section.

The writer of Hebrews says, in verse 32, "But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions." He is reminding us that early in our walk with Jesus, we had great zeal, a great fire in us to do the Will of God no matter what. We used to use the term "on fire for God." We all need to be "on fire" for God in our society today. But, the writer says, "ye endured a great fight of afflictions." Early in our walk, when various afflictions, various struggles tried to sideline our new found faith, we overcame them. We endured a great fight, we endured a hard struggle with with trying times. 

What happened? Oftentimes, I receive email's and talk with people who are going through a tough time and want to throw in the towel. What happened to that faith that began so strong? What happened to that fire we once had for God? We read in verse 35, "Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward." Don't throw away your faith, don't throw away your confidence in Jesus. That confidence is what your faith is made of. The writer gives us a warning in verse 39, "But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul." Don't be one of them who, when the going gets tough, draws back into sin, draws away from Jesus, and turns back. The confidence we had at the beginning of our walk with Jesus is the same confidence we should have now. And that confidence brings a great reward. 

Are you struggling with defeat? Stand strong. Stand in your faith. Stand in your confidence in Jesus Christ. He will not let you down. Think About It.