(Joshua 14:12 NLT) So give me the hill country that the LORD promised me. You will remember that as scouts we found the descendants of Anak living there in great, walled towns. But if the LORD is with me, I will drive them out of the land, just as the LORD said."
What does defeat look like? Some think it is not being successful the first time you try something new, some think that happens the third time but those who we think of as successful will tell you to never give up. Defeat comes the moment you decide it is too difficult and take your eyes off the mark. Sometimes we have to find a different way of accomplishing our goals but that is not defeat, no if we are listening and watching that becomes an area of growth. Why is life full of struggles and difficulties - because through Christ Jesus they become opportunities to grow in relationship with Him and one day the race will be ran and we will see Him face to face. As we grow in this life we in turn will be given opportunities to point the way to others so like Paul said they may share in this joy also.
Paul said, (Philippians 2:13-16 NLT) “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him. Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ's return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless.”
(Hebrews 12:1-2 NLT) “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting Him, He endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now He is seated in the place of honor beside God's throne.”
This is the key to being successful - so be strong in the Lord and never give up on Him or even doubt, keep your eyes on the goal and depend upon Jesus to strengthen your steps and increase your faith. We miss out on things when we don’t ask for God’s help, in this way we are pleasing to Him. When we ask for help and He is faithful to help us then our faith is increased and just like a toddler who takes those shaky first steps we eventually are able to walk without doubting and then we are able to do greater things for Him!
