Keep On Keeping On
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets. But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also.”
Luke 6:26–29
Your testimony could be what helps keep others in the Christian race.
That great American hero, editor, school teacher, and clergyman Elijah Lovejoy left the pulpit and returned to the press in order to be sure his words reached more people. The Civil War might have been averted and a peaceful emancipation of slaves achieved had there been more like him. After observing one lynching, Lovejoy was uncompromisingly committed to forever fighting the awful sin of slavery.
Mob action was brought against him time after time; neither this nor many threats and attempts on his life deterred him. Repeated destruction of his presses did not stop him. “If by compromise it is meant that I should cease from my duty, I cannot make it. I fear God more that I fear man. Crush me if you will, but I shall die at my post...”
And he did, four days later, at the hands of another mob. Not one of the ruffians was prosecuted, indicted or punished in any way for this murder. (Some of Lovejoy's defenders were prosecuted, and one of the mob assassins was later elected mayor of Alton!) However, Lovejoy’s death was not in vain. One young man who was around was deeply moved by the Lovejoy martyrdom. He had just been elected to the Illinois legislature. His name was Abraham Lincoln.
Have you ever felt overwhelmed? Have you felt like everyone was against you? Perhaps what you were trying to do seemed impossible and you felt discouraged. We all come to the point in our lives where we feel as if we cannot go on. It is exactly at that point when God wants us to turn to Him.
God never commands us to fight the good fight of faith without Him. In fact, many times He has told us that without Him, we can do nothing. But He also promises that through Him, all things are possible.
What would have happened if Lovejoy had given up his stand against slavery and had given into the masses? What if he had caved under the fear of the threats? Abraham Lincoln may not have been so convicted about slavery and fought so hard to outlaw it.
As our verses show today, Christ wants us to keep going, endure injustices, and continue serving Him. You never know who is watching your testimony and who will be affected by your actions.
Are you under pressure right now to give up? Do you feel like you are fighting a losing battle? Never give in to the devil’s constant attacks. God tells us to keep fighting and He will fight with us. He has already won the war, but we are to continue in the battle until we see Him.
Remember that others are watching your life, and your testimony could be what helps keep them in the Christian race.
To learn more about Pastor Paul Chappell and his ministry, please visit paulchappell.com.
Daily Bible Reading
Exodus 21-22 • Matthew 19
