7 Faint Nots

~ There Is Power In These 7 P’s ~    

When some of the older translations speak of “fainting” the intent of the content is typically that of not losing heart or becoming discouraged. Christians understand the final outcome of our global war against the forces of evil—keeping the final score in mind makes it much easier to endure without fainting.

Prayer  ~  Do not become discouraged in your prayer. “And He [Jesus] spoke a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint” (Luke 18:1).

Perseverance  ~  Keep on keeping on without excessive discouragement—rather hold on to your confidence. “Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not” (2 Corinthians 4:1).

Preservation  ~  Do not lose confidence in your trust in God. “For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many result in the glory of God. For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (2 Corinthians 4:15-17). 

Preparation  ~  Do not grow discouraged in your good works. “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:9-10). 

Power  ~  Do not lose your confidence and hope as you continue in the Christian life—God will give you the means and power to continue. “Unto me [the Apostle Paul], who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; and to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: to the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: in whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of Him. Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passes knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God. Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen” (Ephesians 3:8-21). 

Practice  ~  Do not grow weary in doing good. “For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. But ye, brethren, faint not in well doing” (2 Thessalonians 3:11-13). 

Patience  ~  Do not be discouraged by Godly discipline—it is a sign of being a child of God. “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin. And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: ‘My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, do not faint when you are rebuked by Him; For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.’ If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons” (Hebrews 12:1-8).

the bottom line:  Keep the end in mind.  Be encouraged and faint not!

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

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