When You Feel Like Giving Up
Notes
Transcript
Every year, hundreds of thousands of people complete marathons. The official distance of the marathon is 26.2 miles. Some of the runners are elite competitors, but many are simply trying to run the distance no matter how long it takes.
Here’s a picture of my friend Brent with his wife Karin after he finished the Boston Marathon in 2013. You may remember that was the years of the bombing, you may have seen him on the news for giving his finisher’s medal away to a woman that wasn’t able to finish.
For some, it is a major life achievement just to finish. For all those who participate, completing such a race requires perseverance through pain.
Life is an endurance event.
Most marriages encounter extremely difficult passages, where either the husband or wife feels like throwing in the towel. When our marriages are struggling, how do we find the power to keep moving forward?
Every church has its highs and lows. There are times when serving is an utter joy, and others when ministering to the needs of people is exhausting or demoralizing. How do we continue to serve faithfully when we feel like giving up?
How about trying to pull out of the effects of a series of poor financial decisions? That can take a long time of instilling new habits and practicing increased self-discipline. How do we keep going when we feel like reverting back to our old ways?
It is not uncommon to find ourselves in difficult times where we want to quit. We find ourselves worn down by the task, discouraged, weary, or even exhausted. Where do we turn for strength and motivation when we feel like giving up?
The journey of faith is not an easy path. At times we will become tired and discouraged. Thankfully, the scriptures give us examples of men and women who refused to give up as they followed God. Today, from the life of Jeremiah, we gain insight into how to keep moving forward, when we feel like giving up in our journey of faith.
Jeremiah’s ministry covered over forty years, and he remained faithful even though ignored, mocked, threatened, and beaten. He is a model of resilience. As we follow the journey of Jeremiah, we will discover keys to persevering in the faith journey to which God has called us.
What do you do when you feel like giving up?
What do you do when you feel like giving up?
We all need to ask ourselves this question, because we will all face those times when we feel like giving up. Here are three steps we can take when we face those times. The first step, is:
1. Revisit your calling
1. Revisit your calling
Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”
In this opening passage, God assures Jeremiah that he knows him intimately, and he formed him for the specific calling of being a prophet. Jeremiah, probably knowing what an incredibly difficult, complex and chaotic role that of a prophet was in those days, says tremblingly,
Then I said, “Ah, Lord God! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.”
and God responds in v. 8
Jer 1:8
Jeremiah 1:8 (ESV)
Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the Lord.”
God’s presence solves everything!
Throughout Jeremiah’s ministry, when things got difficult, he would need to revisit his calling, remembering that God had promised to be with him.
Timeless Principal
Our callings will undoubtedly be different from that of Jeremiah, but it is critical, when facing adversity, to recall that God has called us to a given role. A calling is an idea that redirects the energy of your life. A true calling will change your priorities and activities, causing you to organize your life around something new. Whether it is a calling as a faithful spouse, a generous giver, a mentor of teens, a devoted Bible teacher, a loyal employee, or a Christ-centered business owner, when God calls us, he intends to be with us guide us and empower us.
Note the powerful words spoken to Jeremiah reminding him of God’s abiding presence: I am with you. (1:8) If internalized, these words can give you strength when you feel like giving up.
He’s with me... even in the complexity
He’s with me... even in the chaos
He’s with me... even in the confusion
God may call you to a difficult path, but he promises that you will not be alone; he will give you all of his strength and his presence that you need to persevere.
Cross References
There are some powerful reassurances of God’s presence in His word. As Joshua is called to lead the people of Israel after the death of Moses, he is reminded of the Lord’s presence.
Joshua 1:5 (ESV)
No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you.
In Psalm 23, David refuses to live in fear because of the guiding and protecting presence of God.
Psalm 23:4 (ESV)
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
After the resurrection, when Jesus is commissioning his disciples he reminds them: Matthew 28:20
Matthew 28:20 (NIV)
And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
When you feel like giving up, revisit your calling, and remember that he is with you.
2. Respond honestly.
2. Respond honestly.
Jeremiah 20:7-18
Textual Explanation
Jeremiah 19 is a shattering story...literally. Jeremiah is commanded to purchase a clay pot, and take it to the elders in the valley of Ben Hinnom, where he will deliver a prophecy against the city of Jerusalem. Jeremiah dashes the clay pot on the rocks, breaking it to pieces, pronouncing that in the same way the city of Jerusalem will be destroyed. The very site where Jeremiah gives the speech and breaks the jar is where child sacrifices were performed.
Jeremiah then goes back into the city and delivers the same message in the temple area. There, the chief officer of the temple has Jeremiah beaten up and placed in stocks, where he will remain The prayer Jeremiah utters in Jeremiah 20:7-18 is one of the most raw prayers in the Bible. He holds nothing back, pouring out his dismay to God. Here is a sampling from the prayer:
God, you deceived me. I am getting ridiculed all day long.
God’s words I speak out have brought me nothing but insult and reproach. I wish I had never been born.
Cross References
Honest prayers spoken out of emotional upheaval occur several times in the Bible. Consider the following prayers. In utter distress, trying to faithfully lead the disobedient people of Israel through the desert, Moses prays:
Numbers 11:15 (ESV)
If you will treat me like this, kill me at once… that I may not see my wretchedness.”
Elijah, when utterly exhausted prays: I Kings 19:4
1 Kings 19:4 (ESV)
“It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.”
King David, bemoans the fact that God seems distant and ignores his plight:
Psalm 22:1–2 (ESV)
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest.
Note that these three prayers are spoken by Moses, Elijah and David, who are not exactly spiritual lightweights! Rather than indicating a spiritual deficiency, these prayers appear to be a sign of spiritual health.
Timeless Principal
God desires to hear our honest prayers, even when they are messy and a bit raw. Note that Jeremiah is opening a conversation with God. He is not simply complaining about life or venting, but pouring out his disappointment to God. God’s shoulders are large enough to bear this honest gush of disappointment.
Where are you currently most discouraged in life? Do you feel like you have been faithfully following God, only to experience pain and disillusionment?
Let me ask you to do something. Within 48 hours, find a space where you have at least an hour to meet with God. Simply pray your disappointment to God, or better, write it out. Just begin telling him all you are feeling and experiencing, every disappointment and unmet expectation. Open up a conversation with God about all that is happening. Then, when you are done, wait in silence. God may choose to meet you in this moment. Perhaps he will remind you that he is with you. Perhaps he will instill in you a strong sense of his wisdom and strength. I don’t know what will happen in this silence, but I bet the Lord desires to meet with you as much as you need to meet with him.
Jeremiah serves faithfully for forty years. Though he experienced discouragement and pain, he never abandoned his calling, he never gave up. In part, I believe this was because of his utter honesty with God. When you feel like giving up, respond honestly.
3. Remember God’s faithfulness.
3. Remember God’s faithfulness.
Textual Explanation
In Jeremiah 32, Jerusalem is under siege by the Babylonian army. It is clear that the city will be destroyed, the land laid waste, and the survivors deported. Strangely, God commands Jeremiah to buy a field. Jeremiah obediently purchases the field, but expresses his confusion over why he is buying property that will never be enjoyed. This is not exactly what one might call a good investment. Jeremiah’s prayer concerning his purchase of the field betrays confusion and frustration.
The Lord responds by reminding Jeremiah of his faithfulness. The Lord promises to remain faithful to his people even though he is now sending punishment and destruction. The purchase of the field is an object lesson – a visual way of expressing that the people will not be utterly abandoned, but someday restored to the land. God will be faithful to his promises.
Jeremiah 32:42–44 (ESV)
“For thus says the Lord: Just as I have brought all this great disaster upon this people, so I will bring upon them all the good that I promise them. Fields shall be bought in this land… for I will restore their fortunes, declares the Lord.”
Embedded in the Lord’s reply to Jeremiah is a riveting question:
“Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for me?
This is a phenomenal verse to recall when we feel like giving up. Receive these words today.
For parents who have been praying for their children for years: Is anything too hard for me?
For work situations that are difficult and discouraging: Is anything too hard for me?
For couples who deeply desire to put their marriage back together but feel discouraged by the work ahead: Is anything too hard for me?
Cross Reference
Jeremiah will speak of God’s faithfulness in Lamentations.
Lamentations 3:21-24
Lamentations 3:21–24 (ESV)
But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”
Application
When you feel like giving up, remember God’s faithfulness. You could do this in much the same way as the Israelites did, by creating “stones of remembrance.” Write the major acts of God in your life on rocks, or bricks, or tiles, and place them where they will remind you of the ways God has taken care of you in the past, so that your faith in God for the future is strengthened.
Closing
In the scriptures, the journey of faith is often likened to a race. We quickly discover, however, that our race is more like a marathon than a sprint, where we can be weighed down by pain, discouragement, and frustration.
The writer of Hebrews spoke these words of encouragement in Hebrews 12:1
Hebrews 12:1 (ESV)
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
In the journey of faith, we will grow tired and discouraged. Like Jeremiah, we will receive encouragement to continue in the race when we
revisit our CALLING
respond HONESTLY
remember GOD’S FAITHFULNESS
Let me close with this. Paul wrote to the Corinthian church:
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
Run your race!
To the glory of God. AMEN
Let me pray for you.