*DON’T GIVE UP!- JER. 20:7-9

*”O Lord, thou hast deceived me, and I was deceived: thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed: I am in derision daily, every one mocketh me. [8] For since I spake, I cried out, I cried violence and spoil; because the word of the Lord was made a reproach unto me, and a derision, daily. [9] Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay”*

There was a very powerful man of God, he was a “terror” to the kingdom of darkness,  and he used to perform diverse signs and wonders. He was indeed very sure that God really called him into the ministry. One day he organized a very mighty crusade and faithfully the people’s turn up was so massive. Suddenly at the crusade, the cloud began to gathered and it was about rainfall, then, this man of God made a declaration to the congregation that if truly God called him into this ministry, the rain shall not fall! However, before he finished his boastful declaration heavy rain began to fall and fall and fall till it disrupted the crusade. Out of disappointment, this man abandoned the work of God and became a drunkard. Then a day came and as he sat at his drinking joint, an old man looking tattered approached him and said *”is this not the man of God that used to torment us the wizards, witches and herbalists of this land? The old man touched him and continued his word and said–man of God, indeed God truly loves you, the day all the evil powers have perfected the plans to kill you and I was appointed to finished the work, you were at crusade that day and as I aimed the evil gun at you to shoot you down, behold heavy rain I have never seen began to fall and we’re not able to kill you at that crusade and since then we’ve decided not to fight you again.* Right there and then the “ex-man of God” began to weep and weep profusely that he never knew the reason he quit the ministry was actually to protect him!

Many at times we usually wish the tasks God insured into our care worked out in our own way. Jeremiah felt been deceived by God and he was about giving up in our text today (Jer. 20:7-9), because he could not see the fulfilment of all the sweet, sweet promises God made to him in Jer. 1:5-10. But do you know what? At that time, Jeremiah was the only prophet that was not taken into exile (Babylon). Most of the prophets were killed and others carried to the exile. Daniel, Ezekiel, and co wrote their books from exile at Babylon but Jeremiah was spared.

For everyone of us God has given us ministry, talents, tasks or assignments to occupy with till he comes. But how are you feeling? Are you disappointed and about giving up or you have given up already?

👉🏻Is that marriage working the way you expected?
👉🏻Are you finding fulfilment in you daily work?
👉🏻What about the work of God in the church, have you been embarrassed or badly wounded?
👉🏻Is that person you’re talking to about God proving too difficult?

Are you about giving up or given up already?

I say to you, please *DON’T GIVE UP!!!* God is working in a way you can never imagine, in a way that will favour you and bring glory to his name.

All you need to do:

1. Rekindle your faith in God;
2. Be committed to your marriage, work, the work of God, etc. the more;
3. Be more prayerful– remember we only drawn strength through prayer.

Beloved, never forget that your commissioned if forever and you must occupy with the good works till he comes.
Therefore, *DO NOT EVER GIVE UP!*

Prayer points:

1. Heavenly father, give me the grace to persevere in the work you’ve given to me;
2. My father and my God, please remove every spirit of discouragement from my life;
3. Heavenly father, rekindle my faith, my love, my parson and desires for you in Jesus name.

 By Bro Ojo Emmanuel