We all want to be victors for Jesus. We come to Christ, we give our hearts to him, and in that infusion of peace and love, we feel like Rocky, poised to take on the world. We don our boxing gloves, and with our Bible in hand, we climb into the ring, taking a punch at the evil that surrounds us.
Then the world punches us back.
A boxer expects to be battered while in the ring. As Christians, it is no different. If we want to be safe, we need to hide in a dark closet, and even there, we cannot be sure of safety. The devil will find us wherever we hide. We serve Jesus better standing before the crowds, buoyed by the cheers of the faithful.
Yet, there are times when a punch hits us, and blood runs into our eyes. A tooth is loose, and we have bitten our tongue. Every muscle aches, and all we can think about is making the pain go away.
We want to throw in the towel.
We know what that statement means, and there are a hundred ways to say it. Exit stage right. Take our final bow. Wrap up the books. Cut the lights. Shut the door. Bail out. Desert the sinking ship.
It all means the same thing: to give up because we do not have the strength to continue.
Where can we find our strength when we taste the blood of defeat? We can turn to God’s Word for a power infusion of his supernatural might.
Power Infusion #1: Psalm 28:7
“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoices; and with my song will I praise him.”
Power Infusion #2: Philemon 4:13
“I thank my God, making mention of him always in my prayers.”
Power Infusion #3: Ephesians 6:10
“Finally, my brothers, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.”
Power Infusion #4: Isaiah 40:31
“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”
Power Infusion #5: Deuteronomy 31:6
“Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord your God, he it is that goes with you; he will not fail you, nor forsake you.”
Power Infusion #6: Hebrews 12:1
“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily besets us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.”
Power Infusion #7: Zechariah 4:6
“Then he answered and spoke unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, says the Lord of hosts.”
Power Infusion #8: 1 Corinthians 9:24
“Know you not that they which run in a race run all, but one receives the prize? So run, that you may obtain.”
Power Infusion #9: 2 Timothy 1:7
“For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
Do we really want to throw in the towel? Nah! When the bitter taste of a battle hard fought runs in our mouths, that towel can be put to a better use. Wipe away the blood, and keep that towel nearby. We may need it again, but for now, it’s time to lift our arm and throw the devil another punch. The power infusion of Jesus will be our strength for our knockout swing.
When we feel ready to quit is when Jesus steps in and takes over.
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