Life is full of tasks and targets, and this has constantly put many people on their toes. A wisdom nugget says *"If you don't have anything to pursue, you will have something pursuing you"*. The physical pursuit of life is like a race which requires skills, strength, tenacity, endurance, etc. However, there is an expectation to every worthy cause in life, and the aim is to get good result.
It is quite unfortunate that many people often throw in the towel, when success seems unrealistic or looks far from them. Let us consider two men in the Bible who fainted, but yet pursued their goals. *“And Gideon came to Jordan, and passed over, he, and the three hundred men that were with him, faint, yet pursuing them”* (Judges 8:4). This actually sounds like a paradox! A person who is fainting needs some rest, but Gideon and his men kept pursuing the kings of the Midianites. It is obvious that it takes the supernatural strength to achieve this feat. David was another man who fainted, but still pursued his enemies until he recovered his losses. The book of 1Samuel chapter 30 paints the picture of fainting but pursuing: *“But David pursued, he and four hundred men: for two hundred abode behind, which were so faint that they could not go over the brook Besor”* (vs. 10). *“And David recovered all that the Amalekites had carried away: and David rescued his two wives”* (vs. 18). David would have given up considering the magnitude of what the enemies carted away from him. To make the matter worse, his two wives were also taken captive. A notable lesson to learn from this event is to be hopeful in any situation. It also teaches us to depend solely on God, who knows the end from the beginning. Don't rely on your physical strength, natural endowment or acquired skills! The match between Croatia and Italy, in the ongoing European championship football tournament in Germany, is a true life lesson and an eye opener that it is not really over until it is over. Croatia needed a win to qualify for the Round of 16, and was winning by a lone goal, until the last few seconds of the match. Italy, which needed at least a draw to proceed, eventually got it through the last kick, and the whistle was blown. Beloved, are you thinking of giving up over a particular matter? I encourage you to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. The scripture says: if you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small (Prov. 24:10).
Don’t give up! You need to build your spiritual muscles and develop stamina in faith by daily mediation in the word of God, fasting and prayers. I declare, under grace today, that your worthwhile pursuits will not be in vain in the mighty name of Jesus Christ! God bless you. *SHALOM*
