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DO NOT LOSE HEART
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22
2 Corinthians 4:1-6
1 Timothy 1:12-13
 
“As we have received mercy,
we faint not.”
 
DO NOT LOSE HEART
 
The cooperative will of God teaches us that if we seek to obey God’s Word and follow God’s direction in our life, He will help us and grant us good success. This does not mean that there will not be obstacles in the ministry which God has committed to us. This was true in the life of Paul. He faced great difficulties and opposition as he tried to serve the Lord faithfully.
 
In Acts 16, Paul and Silas endeavoured immediately to go to Macedonia, having been directed by God in a vision. From Troas, the Lord gave “a straight course” all the way to Philippi (Acts 16:11-12). At Philippi, Paul and Silas met with Lydia, who was saved by the preaching of the gospel, having her heart opened by the Lord. However, Paul and Silas soon found themselves cast into jail for having cast a spirit of divination out of a girl who was used by her masters to bring them gain. However, Paul and Silas did not lose heart, but sang praises unto God in prison. In the end, God turned the situation for good, allowing Paul to preach the gospel to the jailor who was then gloriously saved.
 
Paul explained why he did not “faint” (i.e. grow spiritually weary, lose heart) despite the difficulties in ministry. The conjunction “therefore” points back to 2 Corinthians 3:6-18 where Paul rejoiced in the glorious nature of the ministry of the new covenant. As a minister of the gospel, he had received this ministry by the rich mercy of God (see 1 Timothy 1:12-13). He was a great sinner who was once a chief persecutor of the church. Yet God saved him in His sovereign mercy and put him into the ministry. Since God in His mercy and goodness had placed him in His service, Paul was assured that He would also grant him the strength to perform the task which was set before him. This was Paul’s confidence and encouragement in the midst of much distress and tribulation.
 
We too are saved by God and called to be Christ’s witnesses. What area of service has the Lord called you to? Do not lose heart as you serve.
 
THOUGHT: Read 1 Samuel 30:6. What can you learn from it?
PRAYER: Father, in Thee I have my encouragement in stormy times.

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