DO NOT QUIT DURING THE TRIAL – Acts 26:19
Acts 26:19 Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:
Paul is presenting his innocence to king Agrippa. While he is presenting his case, Paul shares his testimony of how he was called by God on the road to Damascus. Paul shares how God spoke to him that he was to preach to the Gentiles. Paul is quick to share how he had not departed from God’s vision for his life.
Paul understood what God was instructing him to do and he did it. Paul’s testimony was that he heard God’s instruction for his life and that while the road Paul was instructed to travel was not easy, Paul obeyed God and remained faithful to God’s calling. Paul had a clear vision from God and he was not going to allow himself to be distracted from doing the perfect will of God.
How many times during Paul’s life could he have given up and forsaken his God given calling? Some would have given up when the people did not listen to the message from God. If God did not immediately bless their way, then why should they continue on the path? Some people would have quit when they were stoned and left for dead. If God cannot protect then from being persecuted for righteousness sake, then why should they continue on the path. Some would have given up when they went for long periods of time of simply waiting for God to open the next door. If God does not direct, then why should they continue on the path? However, this was not Paul. Paul understood what God told him to do and regardless of the trial that God allowed him to face, Paul was able to say to Agrippa that he was obedient to God’s calling.
You must learn to follow Paul’s example. There will be times in your life where God very clearly speaks to you and shows you HIS desire for your life. However, understand HIS perfect way is similar to being a captain on a ship. The captain understands where he is and where he is going. However, during the trip there are going to arise many storms that he will face before he reaches his destination. Just because a storm arises, it does not mean that God’s plan for your life has automatically become void. Instead, you must take courage to finish the voyage that God has set before you.
Your greatest testimony is not that you did what God instructed you to do. Your greatest testimony arises when others see the trials that you overcame as a result of obeying God. When others see how you finished the race that God had called you to and that you did so even though there was great turmoil in your life, then the observer understands that God’s power and grace was sufficient for you and that HE can be with them through their trial.
You cannot afford to give up. You have heard what God has told you to do. While you cannot bring about God’s will in your life any quicker, you cannot quit and ensure that God’s will never occurs. Instead, when you know God’s desires, then you must persevere and allow God’s grace to be abundant in your life
You will never make it through the trials in your life if you do not first add virtue to your faith and begin to put the things of God first in your life. Until you are able to see the hand of God in your life regardless of your circumstances, all you will see is your problems and you will be more likely to abandon your calling early.