NEVER GIVING UP

NEVER GIVING UP

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: 2 Corinthians 4:16

Key Verse: “For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.” — 2 Corinthians 4:16

Supporting Texts: Isaiah 40:29-31; Galatians 6:9; Hebrews 10:35-36; Philippians 3:13-14; James 1:2-4; Romans 8:35-37; 1 Corinthians 15:58

Description: God gives His people daily renewal and sufficient grace to remain steadfast, refuse discouragement and continue until His purpose is fulfilled.

INTRODUCTION

Every believer will encounter seasons when the journey becomes difficult and the temptation to give up becomes strong. There may be disappointments, unanswered prayers, opposition, weariness or prolonged battles. Yet Paul declares, “We faint not.” His determination was not based on the absence of problems but on the strength he received from God.

Paul acknowledged that the outward man was perishing, but he also recognised that the inward man was being renewed day by day. This teaches us that external circumstances may affect our bodies and emotions, but they do not have to destroy our inner spiritual strength.

God has not called us to begin well and stop halfway. He wants us to remain faithful until the end. When our strength seems exhausted, His grace is still available. When the journey becomes long, His presence remains constant. When circumstances say “stop,” faith says, “keep going.”

1. DO NOT GIVE UP BECAUSE OF PRESENT DIFFICULTIES

Difficult circumstances are temporary, but God's purpose is eternal. We must learn not to allow temporary problems to determine our permanent decisions.

a. Trouble Is Temporary (2 Corinthians 4:17) — Present affliction is working toward an eternal weight of glory.

b. God Is With You in Trouble (Psalm 46:1) — The Lord remains our refuge and strength in difficult seasons.

c. Trials Can Strengthen Faith (James 1:2-4) — Testing produces patience and spiritual maturity.

d. God Delivers the Righteous (Psalm 34:19) — Though afflictions may be many, God remains faithful to deliver His people.

Biblical Example: Joseph passed through betrayal, slavery and imprisonment, but he did not abandon his faith in God (Genesis 39:20-23; 41:41-43).

2. RENEW YOUR INNER MAN DAILY

Paul's secret was not that his outward circumstances were always favourable. His strength came from continual inward renewal.

a. Renew Your Mind (Romans 12:2) — God's Word continually transforms our thinking and perspective.

b. Wait Upon the Lord (Isaiah 40:31) — Those who wait upon God receive renewed strength.

c. Be Strengthened Within (Ephesians 3:16) — The Holy Spirit strengthens believers in the inner man.

d. Feed on God's Word (Matthew 4:4) — Spiritual strength is sustained by the Word of God.

Biblical Example: David repeatedly strengthened himself in the Lord when circumstances became overwhelming (1 Samuel 30:6).

3. KEEP YOUR EYES ON GOD'S PROMISES

Discouragement grows when we focus only on circumstances. Faith becomes stronger when we continually look to God's promises.

a. God Is Faithful to His Word (Numbers 23:19) — God does not lie or change His promises.

b. God's Promises Give Hope (Romans 15:4) — Scripture gives believers encouragement and hope.

c. Faith Comes Through God's Word (Romans 10:17) — Hearing and receiving God's Word strengthens faith.

d. God Will Complete What He Started (Philippians 1:6) — What God begins in us, He is faithful to complete.

Biblical Example: Abraham waited many years for God's promise concerning Isaac, yet he continued believing God's Word (Romans 4:18-21).

4. DO NOT ALLOW DELAY TO DESTROY YOUR FAITH

Sometimes people give up because God's answer does not come according to their expected timetable. Divine delay, however, does not mean divine denial.

a. Wait for God's Appointed Time (Habakkuk 2:3) — God's promise will come at the appointed time.

b. Be Patient in Hope (Romans 12:12) — Believers are called to remain patient during tribulation.

c. Do Not Grow Weary in Prayer (Luke 18:1) — Jesus taught that we ought always to pray and not faint.

d. Continue Doing God's Will (Hebrews 10:35-36) — Patient endurance is necessary to receive the promise.

Biblical Example: Hannah continued seeking God despite years of barrenness and eventually received Samuel (1 Samuel 1:10-20).

5. KEEP MOVING FORWARD

The Christian life is a journey, not a single moment. We must refuse to become trapped by yesterday's failures or yesterday's victories.

a. Forget What Is Behind (Philippians 3:13) — Paul refused to allow his past to prevent him from moving forward.

b. Reach Forward to What Is Ahead (Philippians 3:13) — Faith looks toward God's future rather than remaining trapped in the past.

c. Press Toward the Goal (Philippians 3:14) — Spiritual progress requires deliberate pursuit.

d. Continue Until the End (Matthew 24:13) — Those who endure to the end shall be saved.

Biblical Example: Caleb maintained his faith and strength for decades until he possessed the mountain God had promised him (Joshua 14:10-13).

6. DO NOT LET FAILURE BECOME YOUR FINAL STORY

Failure can discourage us, but failure does not have to define our future. God's grace gives us the ability to rise, learn and continue.

a. The Righteous Rise Again (Proverbs 24:16) — Falling does not mean that the journey is over.

b. God's Mercy Is New Every Morning (Lamentations 3:22-23) — Every new day brings fresh evidence of God's faithfulness.

c. God Restores the Fallen (Psalm 145:14) — The Lord upholds those who fall and raises those who are bowed down.

d. There Is Hope After Failure (Micah 7:8) — Even after falling, God's people can rise because the Lord is their light.

Biblical Example: Peter failed by denying Jesus, but Christ restored him and gave him another opportunity to serve (John 21:15-17).

7. REMEMBER THAT YOUR LABOUR IS NOT IN VAIN

One of the greatest weapons against discouragement is knowing that God sees and rewards faithful service. What appears insignificant today may have eternal consequences.

a. God Remembers Your Labour (Hebrews 6:10) — God does not forget the work and love demonstrated in His service.

b. Your Labour Is Not in Vain (1 Corinthians 15:58) — Work done for the Lord has eternal value.

c. Do Not Grow Weary (Galatians 6:9) — There is a harvest for those who refuse to quit.

d. Your Reward Is Certain (Matthew 25:21) — Faithfulness will ultimately receive God's commendation.

Biblical Example: Noah faithfully obeyed God for many years while building the ark, and his obedience preserved his household (Hebrews 11:7).

8. GOD'S GRACE WILL KEEP YOU STANDING

Our ability to continue does not ultimately depend on human strength. God's grace is sufficient to preserve us until the end.

a. God's Grace Is Sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9) — Divine grace supplies what human strength lacks.

b. Christ Gives Strength (Philippians 4:13) — Through Christ, we can endure what God permits us to face.

c. God Keeps His People (Jude 24) — He is able to keep us from falling and present us faultless before His glory.

d. We Are More Than Conquerors (Romans 8:37) — Through Christ, victory belongs to the believer.

Biblical Example: Paul endured imprisonment, persecution, beatings and opposition, yet he completed his assignment and could finally declare that he had finished his course (2 Timothy 4:7).

CONCLUSION

Never giving up does not mean that you will never feel tired, discouraged or weak. It means that when weakness comes, you return to God for renewed strength. The outward man may experience pressure, but the inward man can be renewed day by day. Your circumstances may change, but God's faithfulness remains constant.

Do not abandon your prayer, your faith, your calling or your obedience because of a difficult season. Keep trusting, keep praying, keep serving and keep moving forward. The God who sustained you this far will sustain you to the end. Your labour is not in vain, your story is not finished and your best days are still ahead in God's purpose.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Father, renew my strength every day and keep me from fainting, in Jesus name.

2. Lord, deliver me from every spirit of discouragement and giving up, in Jesus name.

3. Father, strengthen my inner man by Your Holy Spirit, in Jesus name.

4. Lord, give me grace to wait patiently for Your promises, in Jesus name.

5. Father, help me to remain faithful when answers are delayed, in Jesus name.

6. Lord, restore every area of my life where I have become weak or discouraged, in Jesus name.

7. Father, give me grace to rise from every failure and move forward, in Jesus name.

8. Lord, let my labour in Your kingdom never be in vain, in Jesus name.

9. Father, strengthen me to complete every assignment You have given me, in Jesus name.

10. Lord, keep me standing in faith until I fulfil Your purpose for my life, in Jesus name.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS

1. You shall not faint in the journey of faith.

2. Your inner man shall be renewed day by day.

3. You shall receive fresh strength for every new day.

4. You shall not abandon the promises of God over your life.

5. Every prolonged battle shall end in victory.

6. You shall rise from every failure and move forward.

7. You shall not miss God's appointed time for your life.

8. Your labour in the Lord shall produce an abundant harvest.

9. You shall receive grace to complete your God-given assignment.

10. You shall finish your course, keep the faith and fulfil God's purpose for your life.