"Do not lose sight of Me and My Word! Keep your eyes on Me and My Word, no matter what! Stay focused on what I have spoken to you! Stay focused on My plans and My calling in your life. Do not get distracted, and do not be discouraged. For through faith and patience, you will inherit My promises for you."
Hebrews 6:12 (NKJV) says, 'That you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises'. Indeed, faith without patience, we move ahead of time without God being there to back us up; and patience without faith, we are directionless and wander around without conviction and purpose in life. We need both faith and patience.
The key book to read in this time and season is 2 Timothy. Read it as many times as you can. You will be blessed, and you will be greatly encouraged, whatever 'persecution' or 'difficulty' you may be facing in life at the moment. Written from the prison (the last place one would expect to write a letter of encouragement), Paul wrote this letter to his spiritual son Timothy and exhorted him to endure and persevere in spite of the 'opposition' that came against him.
In 2 Timothy 2:1-2, Paul wrote, 'You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also'.
In this expression 'be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus', Paul was encouraging Timothy to continue to look to God, and rely on God's ability, instead of his own strength and ability. People of God, the same it is for you today. Whatever 'persecution' or 'difficulty' you may be facing right now, look to Him for His empowering, His strength and His ability; knowing that He is infinitely bigger and greater than all those 'challenges' in your life. Nothing is too hard for Him!
In 2 Timothy 2:3-7, Paul then wrote, 'You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops. Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things'.
The word 'endure' here is 'kakopatheo' in Greek, from two words, 'kakos' meaning 'worthless, injurious, evil, harmful, wicked, ill-intentioned' and 'pathos' meaning 'keep on going'. In other words, to keep on going in spite of any 'kakos' situation that comes your way. Never give up, and never lose sight of who God is in your life (and what He can do). He will know how to open a way out for you!
You see, good soldiers never give up! And good soldiers don't get entangled and messed up with the affairs of this life. In other words, they will never allow their FOCUS to be taken away by whatever that seek to 'disrupt' and 'upset' them!
How about good athletes? They are focused on the finishing line, and they play by the rules. Like good athletes, you too keep running this race that God has purposed and prepared for you. Do not be distracted, and do not walk out of the 'sphere' that God has given to you. As long as you keep running according to how He has instructed you, you'll be sure to finish the race!
Paul also wrote about hardworking farmers. Hardworking farmers keep 'sowing' without complaining. Hardworking farmers will not be half-hearted in whatever they do in the fields, knowing very well that the joy of harvesting will soon come, if they do not lose heart. It will all be worth it!
Hebrews 12:2 (The Message) says it all, 'Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how He did it. Because He never lost sight of where He was headed - that exhilarating finish in and with God - He could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now He’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God'. Amen!
Therefore, people of God, keep your focus on Him and His Word, no matter what. Don't get distracted or discouraged by the 'toxic' situation (or even 'toxic' people) around you. Don't get upset by those 'naysayers' who don't understand what God is doing in your life. And don't be taken off your FOCUS in whatever God has called you to be (and do) in life! The good works that He has begun in you, He will also bring to full completion (Philippians 1:6). Amen!
