Devotions_NeverGiveUp

Welcome to The Salvation Army USA Eastern Territory Women's Ministries Website

Words to Grow On

August 23, 2004

“Never Give Up”

Margaret Goding

Scripture: (Mark 5: 21-34)

How many times have you caught yourself saying, “I give up!” Maybe it was because a problem you faced seemed to have no solution, or because you found some people difficult to work with, or maybe because you discovered circumstances at home a bit out of control?!

“Giving Up”…it is not an expression or ‘end result’ new to our generation. Down through history, there have been numerous people who were in situations where, if they had given up, we would have understood and maybe agreed with them.

Winston Churchill, Prime Minister and war leader of England during World War II, knew how important it was to keep up the morale of those living and fighting in England. Adolph Hitler and the Nazis were breathing down their necks, making every attempt to defeat the British and cause them to surrender.

Churchill once said to his people during those dark days, “We will never surrender!”…and “Never, never, never, never give up!” Belief in the importance of freedom and what his soldiers could do to keep freedom in tact was a motivation factor in emphasizing, “Never give up!”

In the Bible, there is a story of a woman who had a blood disease for twelve years. She had tried everything, seen several doctors, exhausted her resources, but found no cure. This would be the point where she could question whether it was worth continuing to pursue a cure…”maybe I should just give up!” But Jesus was in the area…this woman had heard about the miracles He performed. Maybe there was still a chance for her…if she could just get close enough.

She was not even looking for individual attention from Jesus, just to touch the hem of the robe He was wearing would bring healing…she was sure of it! Her faith and persistence was rewarded! Jesus said, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.” For the first time in many years, this woman stood erect, pain-free. Never give up! It worked for her.

William Booth, founder of The Salvation Army, had seen so much happen for the good of God’s kingdom. At the age of 83, he had to face surgery and possible blindness. Just prior to the surgery, he gave what was to be his final message.

In spite of the circumstances he was facing, he said at the close of that speech, “…I’ll fight to the very end.” What could be more “in the spirit of determination,’ than these words of Booth? In our Salvation Army songbook, an unknown author has written:

“Hast thou just begun to pray? Never give up!

Press along the heavenly way, Never give up!

Though through life thy trials last,

Though thou be to lions cast,

Hold thou thy profession fast, Never give up!

With God willing to give what we need, we never need to give up!

Mark 5:21-34

When Jesus had again crossed over by boat to the other side of the lake, a large crowd gathered around him while he was by the lake.

[22] Then one of the synagogue rulers, named Jairus, came there. Seeing Jesus, he fell at his feet

[23] and pleaded earnestly with him, "My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live."

[24] So Jesus went with him.
A large crowd followed and pressed around him.

[25] And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years.

[26] She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse.

[27] When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak,

[28] because she thought, "If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed."

[29] Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.

[30] At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, "Who touched my clothes?"

[31] "You see the people crowding against you," his disciples answered, "and yet you can ask, 'Who touched me?' "

[32] But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it.

[33] Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth.

[34] He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering."