I spent Friday and Saturday at Circle C Baptist camp, just outside of Lexington Kentucky. They were having their annual Kentucky shootout. It is an event for men and boys to spend some time shooting, competing, and learning from God's Word.
Friday night, Pastor Don Letson spoke about never quitting on God. Most people who were in attendance probably applied this more to their Christian service than their daily walk with God.
But I know there are some people who might need to use this to look at their daily walk, or what used to be a daily walk with Christ.
I wish I had an actual recording of the message to share with you, because I know that I will fail, and therefore not even try to share the same powerful message that he delivered from God. Hopefully though I can say something that someone might need from what I gleaned off of his preaching.
While brother Letson was preaching, I let God work on me and kept my thoughts about myself. But I will be honest with you. As I've been driving the last 3 or 4 hours, and chewing on it, God has repeatedly put different people on my mind that I wish could have been there for the message.
I won't be so bold as to say that I've been where you have been, or that I have experienced what you have experienced, but I know that there are others who have. It doesn't really matter though because your problems and experiences are always going to be yours and yours alone. There is no grand scale that I can look at to weigh your tribulations against those of others. but if you are using those experiences and tribulations as an excuse to not continue with God, please keep reading and see what Paul went through in his service to God.
Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. 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. Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not? If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.
2 Corinthians 11:23-30 KJV
I want to give a quick caveat to the tone that Paul was using here. When dealing with the Corinthian Church, a very proud and carnal Church, Paul had to speak on their level to get their attention. Then, once their attention was gained, he laid the truth on them.
Having said that, let me assure you that Paul was not actually boasting here. But all of the trials that he went through are real, and most are recorded throughout the New Testament.
We love comparing ourselves to others. I think it mostly stems from that small measure of pride that we just can't seem to rid ourselves of. But, it is not always a bad thing. After all, Paul tells us that he is given to us to be an example of how to follow Christ.
I know you were hurt. I know you reacted bad to some things. I know you did some things you wish you would have never done. I know it seemed like you were all alone and that all of this "Bible stuff" was useless. And I know that there are probably many things that I do not know about you or your circumstances, that caused you to walk away from God.
But what I do know is that he is still right where he's always been, waiting for you to return and someday see why it was worth not giving up.
Paul never gave up. I would hate to have to go through all that he suffered. I don't know that I could go through all that he suffered. At least, not on my own. Paul was not alone in his suffering.
For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me. And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
2 Corinthians 12:6-10 KJV
This is where Paul sets aside speaking on their level, and just starts plowing the truth.
God's Grace is still sufficient for us. It doesn't matter what your burden is. It doesn't matter how much someone hurt you. It doesn't matter how much you feel that you might have failed.
What matters is that God's grace is still sufficient for you. He has never left you. He has never turned his back on you. Like the father of The Prodigal Son, he is standing there looking down the road, waiting to see you coming home. And just as the father of The Prodigal Son, when you make a step in that direction he will run to you, wrap his arms around you and bring you back into his fold.
Paul never gave up. In trials and tribulations that would have killed most of us, he kept his eyes on what lay before him. He knew that one day he would be able to see and say that it was truly worth it all. He kept going, and eventually was able to say...
For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
2 Timothy 4:6-8 KJV
To quote my favorite radio duo, "Stay in it!"
If you have already quit, come back where you belong.
