Don't Give Up - God's Sustaining Grace

May 17, 2024

What is discouraging you today? Are you just worn out? Are you facing frustrations or problems? Do you have fears or feel like giving up?

If you’re feeling discouraged in any area of your life, spend time with God. Take your problems TO him. He promises to give you rest.

Matthew 11:28 says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Don’t just come home and turn on the television or scroll on your phone to “get away.” Instead, open up your Bible and read it. Be intentional. Spend time in his Word. Spend time with him in prayer.

The Bible says in Romans 15:4, “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.” (NIV).

Don’t give up hope. Don’t stop running the race set before you.

The Bible tells us that we even have an audience cheering us on in heaven. Hebrews 12:1 says, “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.” (NLT).

How can you be sure you’re going to finish the race of life? Because of God’s sustaining grace. God doesn’t want to just save you. He wants to sustain you through life. He wants you to make it.

What is sustaining grace?

Sustaining grace is the power to keep on going when you feel like giving up. It’s the power to do the right thing when you don’t feel like doing the right thing.

2 Corinthians 12:9 says, “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

There are many pitfalls in the marathon race of life. But regardless of what you go through, no matter what you face this year, you can count on God’s sustaining grace.

When you are tired or discouraged, go to God… he is an unlimited source of peace and strength.

Isaiah 40:28-29, “Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength”