Saturday 8 March 2008

Hold on

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At least there is HOPE for a tree (Believer):if (she) is cut down (she) will SPROUT again, and (her) new shoots will not FAIL. (Her) roots may grow old in the ground and (her) stump die in the soil, YET at the scent of water, (she) will BUD and put forth shoots like a plant (Job 14:7-9, NIV)

He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with SONGS OF JOY, carrying sheaves with Him (Psalm 126:6, NIV)Capitals and brackets mine

I wonder what would have happened if....

Noah did not build the ark because people were laughing at him (Hebrews 11:7)
Sarah had considered her age (Genesis 21:1-3)
Job decided he'd had enough (Job 14:14)
Joeseph had chosen not to interpret the butler's dream (Genesis 40:6-14)
Ruth had linked arms with Orpah and gone back to Moab (Ruth 1:16-17)
Esther did not take her petition before the king (Esther 4:15-16)
Elisha had turned back at the Jordan (2nd Kings 2:1-10)
Naaman refused to dip in the river (2nd Kings 5:10-14)
The Hebrew boys bowed to the idol (Daniel 3:16-18)
The woman with the issue of blood had not pressed through the crowd (Luke 8:42-48)
Jesus had turned back at the sight of the cross (Matthew 26:42, 27:46)

I also wonder what would have happened if

Martin Luther King had kept his dream to himself
Rosa Parks had stood up when asked
William Wilberforce had stopped presenting his bill to Commons
Thomas Edison had given up after the hundreth attempt

Most importantly, I wonder what will happen
If I and you do not GIVE UP today?
even when the odds seemed to be stacked against us


All the names mentioned above had genuine reasons to give up on their dreams or throw away their faith and belief because of the issues and obstacles they faced. Yet at the decisive moments of their lives, they decided to HOLD on because they knew the ONE in whom they had believed was faithful. Laurie Beth Jones in her wonderful book, Jesus in Blue Jeans terms this as 'not flinching at the critical moment'. We will all face such critical moments, some of us are facing them right now, so what will we decide to do? give up and throw in the towel or hold on a little bit longer. I love the Scripture above from Job, the Bible says at the scent of water, a tree will bud. In the Bible, water is symbolic of the word of God. The only way we can get that scent is to keep our eyes fixed on the Word of God. I'm not for a moment saying this is easy, it isn't. The Word is a source of encouragement, a source of power, it isn't natural to just keep confessing God's word when it seems to be totally opposite to what your eyes can see concerning your circumstance but that's what faith is about. Hebrews 11:1 (NIV) says it's being SURE of what we HOPE for and CERTAIN of what we do not SEE. Do not be afraid for surely there will be an end to the issues that we face and our expectations shall never be cut off. All that we need is to hold on to God. His Word is true and if He has given you a word concerning something, He can never, never, never fail.

So please, keep holding on, sometimes it's that little extra that differentiates a 'breaking' from a breakthrough.

You are blessed and highly favoured. This continues to remain our year of UNCOMMON TESTIMONY.

20 comments:

Rinsola said...

I'm first!. I'm encouraged, Rinsola hold onnnnnnnnn "Do not be afraid for surely there will be an end to the issues that we face and our expectations shall never be cut off" . Amen to the prayers and thanks for sharing. How'v you been?

♥♫♪nyemoni♫♪♥ said...

Sista, I'm so sure your blog name wasn't Zoe before abi? You changed it!
Thanks for the word girl...I shall not quit until I reach my desired target....God must prevail in my situation...It is well with me...I confess...lol...Thanks for the message!

Zoe Believer said...

@rinsola:Hey, first again, u really deserve a prize o. Mwah, mwah..a thousand kisses coming ur way! How are u doing? Remain blessed

@nyemoni:Observant sista! I'm just trying to get over Saturday's shock...Portsmouth..na wa o, anyway it seems Aresenal has given us a bit of space for the Premiership so I will 'hold on' Lol. How r the honey's doing? Zoe, i love that name...the God kind of life not just any ordinary life, the one He created for me and you to enjoy. If I have a daughter that will be her name.Have a wonderful week.

Truth said...

Praise God for ordinary people like you that He uses to bring us the word in due season. I am grateful to God to be associated with you.I am holding on and would never give up even when odds surround me. Thanks for awakenning faith in me. Have a bless timeg

Allied said...

This is very encourage.. Never to give up.

I pray when i look away, he turn me gently with his word..

expected ur call this weekend

Zoe Believer said...

@truth:Thank u so much for your encouragement. We must wait until our change comes and we will reap our reward in due season

@allied:Aburo, e jo e ma binu, I will call u tonite. U know I love u 3 much..Remain blessed

Jennifer A. said...

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh.....kai! I just could not wait to get to the end of this. I have so much energy just from reading this, that you (believer) would not be able to comprehend because u can't see me typing this post. Everything u've said here embodies what God has recently been teaching me, through all the trials and stuff...and that scripture from Job is also one of my favorites.

I loved it when u said this: "Most importantly, I wonder what will happen
If I and you do not GIVE UP today?
even when the odds seemed to be stacked against us...

Zoe Believer said...

@jaycee:Thank God for God. He establishes His word with 2 or more witnesses. Never give up! With the weeks I've been having, I keep coming back to read to encourage myself in the Lord like David. Have a wonderful week

chichi said...

babe u r blessed and highly favoured as well. mehn i needed to hear dis o-i replied ur mail but if u dont get it i plan on calling u's soon anyway. take care love. AND THANK YOU!!

The Life of a Stranger called me said...

Babe, I havnt forgotten you. Will buzz soon.... sweets forgive me dearest..

Anonymous said...

This was very very encouraging...

Ayomipo Matthew Edinger said...

who told u what av been going through?

Zoe Believer said...

@chichi:Thanks for stopping by. Remain blessed and look forward to speaking to you soon

@LOASCM:That's ok sweety, i'm sure u can fit me in somewhere

@jem:Remain blessed. I am always encouraged at your space

@Disgodkidd:It is well, don't give up

♥♫♪nyemoni♫♪♥ said...

Just checking!

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Arewa said...

I am not letting go ohhh. iam holding on tighter than ever. Wwe serve an awesome God.
Keep up the good work. and stay blessed x x x

Arewa said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Ayomipo Matthew Edinger said...

thanks.

Thirty + said...

Thank you for the message. I am persuaded of uncommon testimonies this year.

Zoe Believer said...

@nyemoni:Thanks for checking up on me. How r u doing?

@arewa:Ever since I wrote this post, I've been so tempted to do the exact opposite but I'm standing with you my sister to hold on.

@disgodkidd:You are blessed and destined for great works in the Kingdom

@30+: Amen and amen, uncommon testimonies, an IT HAS TO BE GOD miracle