Pastor Nancy Mwangi
Pastor, Fedha Church, Kenya Assemblies of God
Luke1:5-19
Zechariah and Elizabeth continued to be faithful even when they were advanced in age and childless.
God came through for them at a time when they had shelved the idea of having a child due to age and delay. Even if they might have given up, God had not given up on them.
We must remember that God is not giving up on us, and we should always hold on to Him. He will always come through for us if we just surrender everything to Him. He will provide what you need at the right time, and He will lead you in your purpose.
God's perfect timing is seen as they conceived John the Baptist in their old age, long after it was humanly possible.
Holding on requires one to be persistently in prayer, especially when the promise takes a longer time.
Despite the long wait and barrenness, they continued serving God, not giving up on Him
Hebrews 10:23
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
Despite the delay, continue being faithful, holding on to God's promises.
As Believers, we must have faith in what God has promised, He will bring to pass.
Trust in God's plan and promises, even when you don't understand them or they seem time-barred.
Maybe you are 35 and still trusting God for marriage, don't give up, it is still possible. Last year a friend, mshirika (member of this church) got married at 50.
Holding on to God requires patience and faith.
2 Peter 3:8-9
But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.
[9]The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
It reminds us that God's timing is different from ours and that He is not slow in keeping His promises.
It is therefore very important that we fully trust in God because His timing may not make sense to us.
Proverbs 3:5-6:
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight"
This encourages us to trust in God's wisdom over one's own.
By holding on to His promises, we exercise patience like the great men in the bible who serve as good examples.
God always keeps His promise, but we need to be patient and hold on.
These men and women held on
Abraham and Sarah waited 25 years for Isaac.
Isaac and Rebecca waited 20 years.
Joseph endured 13 years of suffering but finally came from prison to the Prime Minister.
David, after being anointed, waited 16 years to become king.
Jesus, though born the Messiah He had to wait 30 years to begin his ministry.
Noah built the ark for 120 years before the flood came.
Israelites were in slavery in Egypt for 430 years before being led out, and then waited in the desert for 40 years before entering the promised land.
In all these Biblical examples, we notice that though it took time, God always fulfilled His promises to those who held on.
You may have prayed and waited until you stopped praying, but God never fails.
He comes even when you have forgotten about it. Elizabeth and Zechariah had already moved on. The idea of having a child was no longer on their agenda since age had disqualified them. But God was not yet done. His time was not yet, and so He kept His promise despite the time lapse.
One of God's character is that He makes promises and keeps them.
He is not just a promise maker, but also a promise keeper.
Man can fail you, but God will never fail you.
How do you hold on to God?
1. By believing that God always wins.
2. By not giving up on God and keeping His promises.
3. Keep focusing on the promises, not the problems.
4. Keep moving forward, trusting that God will do it. Don't allow anything to create doubt, including time spent.
5. By offering praise in the middle of your problem.
6. Build your confidence in God's faithfulness. He is forever faithful and never fails. You can bank on God's faithfulness. It is a guarantee that He will do it
The year is coming to an end, and some are already giving up on what they believed God for at the beginning of the year. God is not yet done with you. He does not need a day to change your situation; just one encounter with Him and your situation changes forever, like Esther. Just one encounter with a king changed her from a nobody orphan to a powerful Queen.
For those who have been trusting God for years, usianze kusema oh mwaka ingine imeisha (don't start saying another year has come to an end), I stand no chance. God is well within His calendar. Don't give up, just hold on.
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