[Acts 2:41-47 KJV] “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”
“And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.”
“And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.”
I want to speak to you today on the need to not give up in hard times. We are in this race of time. We are running through the changing scenes of life. Those who finish well in life are those who hang on in hope and faith.
The Bible teaches clearly that the early church made it to the end because they continued steadfastly in the doctrine and fellowship and prayer. They did not allow anything to sway them from the faith. They continued steadfastly and pressed on in faith.
Tough times don’t last, but tough people do. When we determine to press forward through the storm and through the night, we will make it. Don’t bulge; don’t chicken out; keep fighting! Keep pressing. You are not a weakling or a loser. You are more than a conqueror.
When tough times come, remember the following truths;
1. Blessed is the man who endures temptation when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life:
Temptations or tough times come to try us, but there is a reward at the end.
[James 1:12 KJV] “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”
2. Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord; he is like a tree that is planted by waters:
[Jeremiah 17:7-8 KJV] “Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord , and whose hope the Lord is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.”
3. It is not a strange thing
[1 Peter 4:12-14 KJV] “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.”
It is perfectly normal for the child of God to go through challenges when they have done nothing wrong.
4. The God of all grace will soon establish and perfect you soon:
[1 Peter 5:8-10 KJV] “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.”
5. All things work together to the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose:
[Romans 8:28 KJV] “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose”.
All things will work together to our good; The good, the bad, and the ugly.
6. Although our outward man may perish, day by day we are renewed in the inner man:
[2 Corinthians 4:15-18 KJV] “For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.”
“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.”
I have no doubt that God will take you far.
I love you, stay blessed
Pastor Noah Simpe Bediako
