Never, Never Give Up!

There is a drawing of a pelican swallowing a frog. However, the frog, head first in the pelican’s mouth, has used it’s front legs to grab the pelican by the throat to keep it from swallowing him.
The caption reads, "Never, Never Give Up!" That’s pretty good advice.

During a dark period of Abraham Lincoln's life, at the young age of 32, he wrote:
"I am now the most miserable man living. If what I feel were equally distributed to the whole human family, there would not be one cheerful face on earth. Whether I shall ever be better I cannot tell; I awfully forebode I shall not. To remain as I am is impossible; I must die or be better, it appears to me."

It's hard to believe these words were written by one of our nation's most significant leaders. And it's hard to believe that years later this same despairing man was able to write: "The year that is drawing toward the close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. These bounties are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come."

Abraham Lincoln's early years were filled with failure. Yet, the final years of life, though certainly not free from struggle, were years of happiness, fulfillment, achievement, and success.
Because of his capacity to outlast the blues, Lincoln experienced - in this life - the enormity of God's blessing. He didn't give up hope, even when it seemed he had no reason to hope.

The same could be said for King David who reigned as the king of Israel for many years (you can read about his reign in the Old Testament). As you read through the Psalms (most of which he wrote), you get a glimpse of his struggles and heartaches. And though his life was not without tragedy, David ended his days enjoying the benefits of God's blessing in his life. In a phrase, David outlasted the blues.

His final words, recorded in 2 Samuel 23:5, were: God made a lasting agreement with me, right and sure in every way. He will accomplish my salvation and satisfy all my desires.

It's almost as if the reward for tenacity is that our problems eventually give up and leave us alone. We certainly see in scripture that clinging steadfastly to hope in God's mercy ultimately pays off far beyond our greatest hopes.

Today, you may be facing some difficult, some challenge, some uphill battle. But there's more to your story than just what you are experiencing today. Put your hope and your faith in God and He will bring to fruition your salvation, full and complete, and He will grant your heart's desires. This gives us a reason to keep on...to outlast the blues.

Let me encourage you, like the frog in the mouth of the pelican, Never, Never Give Up!