29 October
Knocked Down or Knocked Out?
And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?
John 5:5 to 6In life you are either getting knocked down or you are reaching a stage where you are ready to be knocked out. Alternatively, you could be knocking blows to the enemy and conquering. I want to encourage you today that if you are under continuous attack, do not give up.
A man sat at the pool of Bethesda, crippled, and could not get his healing. Thirty eight years he endured his infirmity, waiting for victory. And it came. Four lepers sat at the gate, waiting for death. Behind them was famine, before them the enemy. They could have sat and given up. But they stood up and walked towards the enemy. The enemy fled in fear, thinking that a mighty army had arisen against them. Knocked down, but not knocked out.
If you feel knocked down, know that you are not knocked out. Do not let discouragement get to you. Discouragement brings dismay and gloom; discouragement gives you a reason to give into your circumstance. But encouragement brings hope; encouragement will keep you charged up. If you need to find hope I exhort you to search for answers from the God of hope.
Trials are for a season. Your season could be close to over ... but giving up will keep you in your circumstance. Quitting will keep you from receiving your blessings and breakthrough. You could be on the brink of your miracle as you read this book. Do not give up on the hope of receiving your breakthrough.
There are many men and women who have fought back; who looked at death in the face and said, "You will not get the better of me." Today, let your hope be in a God who gives hope, peace and breakthrough.