Judges 8:4
The more we approach the second coming of our great God and Savior, is the more many will be tempted to quit before quitting time. In many churches, in many homes, in many marriages, there is a spirit of giving up, a desire to quit before victory is won and the goal realized. However, it needs to be acknowledged that it’s not over until it’s over. We simply cannot give up until it’s over. We simply cannot give up until our work on earth is done. We cannot stop fighting until the battle is over and the enemy completely overthrown.
It is with incredible delight that my attention was turned this week to a passage of Scripture found in Judges 8:4. It states, “And Gideon came to Jordan, and passed over, he, and the three hundred men that were with him, faint, yet pursuing them.” They were few in number. They were extremely tired. They were weak. They were worn, but somehow they refused to give up or give in. They pursued the enemy, refusing to back down or let up. Not even extreme tiredness succeeded in thwarting or aborting their proposed mission – Faint, Yet Pursuing.
As I contemplate where we are at on the journey at this point in time, I think these words fittingly describe what many are presently going through. They feel faint. They feel as if they have very little strength left and are seriously tempted to give in and quit. However, instead of quitting, we remain determined to push and press our ways through. Our determination to win and overcome would not permit us to quit. We persevere against all odds.
For many here in our congregation in the Northeast Region and beyond, I sense that these last two years have been extremely difficult and painful, but may I encourage you just a bit today, to keep at it! Do not stop now! Victory is just up ahead! You are too near your heavenly home to turn back now! You cannot let this one set back or this last storm stop you or cause you to stop pursuing your goal or your dreams. We just plain refuse to stay down. We will get up and build again, stronger and better, energized by this Scriptural truth “. . . Faint, Yet Pursuing.” (Judges 8:4).
The apostle Paul always so powerfully exemplified this concept for us in his writings and his consistent lifestyle. He advances the notion that though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being constantly renewed (2 Cor. 4:16 NIV). We are renewed day by day. He indicates that in the passing parade of our fallen age, all the horrific, painful experiences of our present lives are temporary and fleeting. Therefore, we do not lose heart (2 Cor. 4:16). Like Gideon’s army in Judges 8, we proceed according to plan, moving full speed ahead – Faint, Yet Pursuing! Quitting, for us, is never an option!
I find it most refreshing how the Message Bible summarizes Paul’s writings concerning the rugged experiences that the people of God must endure. It states, “We’ve been surrounded and battered by troubles, but we’re not demoralized; we’re not sure what to do, but we know God knows what to do; we’ve been spiritually terrorized, but God hasn’t left our side; we’ve been thrown down, but we haven’t broken. What they did to Jesus they do to us – trial and torture, mockery and murder; what Jesus did among them, he does in us – he lives! (2 Cor. 4:8-10). As it closes out this section, the Message Bible states, “So we’re not giving up. How could we ….!” (2 Cor. 4:16).
Let it therefore be known – Now is not the time to give up or to turn back. We never started this journey to stop half-way. We are going all the way until victory is completely won – Faint, Yet Pursuing! Though bone-tired, we press on!
Leroy V. Greenaway
Presiding Bishop – Northeast Region
