MORNING MANNA 4-23-22
NEVER TURN BACK
“Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.” – 2 Corinthians 11:24-28
The life of the Apostle Paul was anything but easy. Being faithful to God’s calling put his life in danger over and over. He suffered intense persecution, dire hardships, lack, and danger—not for doing wrong, but for doing right. There were many reasons for Paul to quit, but he never did. The hardships made some of his companions turn back. Mark quit the first missionary journey. Demas decided the things of the world were more to be desired than the suffering of following Christ. Yet despite all that Paul endured and the fact that others were turning back, he continued. He refused to allow anything to deter him from serving God.
Paul declared, “But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24). There are times when difficulty comes as a result of something we have done wrong. But many times the opposition and hardship we experience are because we are doing right, and the devil is trying to get us to stop serving God. Whatever the source, we must not allow anything to stop our service to God. Edgar Guest wrote, “It’s when things seem worst that you mustn’t quit.” Our love for Christ should be so great that nothing can deter us from serving Him.
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346
