Men like Elijah, Moses, John the Baptist, Paul, Jonah, Peter, Samson; all had their strengths and their weaknesses. A lot is said about their strengths in the New Testament but The Lord did not focus on their weaknesses. In their weaknesses, God still made a way out.The Grace of God was sufficient for them. They learnt how to move on with their lives and focus on the strength of God. There is no perfect man, but when man rests in a perfect God, the nature of God begins to manifest in his life.
God's grace was sufficient for Paul. The Lord sent him to minister to the Gentiles and not to the Jews. However, after a while Paul started having compassion for the Jews and wished he could get them saved. Romans 9:1-3. He then decided to travel back to Jerusalem even when he was warned by God against this, through a prophesy by Agabus. He prophesied that the Jews will bind Paul's hand and feet and hand him over to the Gentiles if he went he went. Paul failed to obey this warning, he went to Jerusalem where he almost lost his life - Acts 21:11-14.
Because of this, throughout the ministry of Paul, the Jews became a thorn in his flesh because they stirred up commotion & riot almost everywhere that Paul preached. Paul prayed to God & The Lord encouraged Paul to rely on His grace. It was the grace of God that made Paul to succeed in his ministry despite all oppositions. Paul is a man of like passion like you. If he made it, you too can make it by the grace of God.
There was a time when John the Baptist was depressed & in prison. Though The Lord was with him, John had stopped feeling God's presence. Why did this happen? John as the friend of Jesus ( the bridegroom )should have handed over to Jesus after God declared Jesus as his only begotten son when when he was baptised by John. When bridegroom arrived, John was expected to sit down & listen to the words of the bride groom. However he continued to baptise people.
John the Baptist eventually ended up in prison where he became depressed & started doubting Jesus as the Messiah. He sent message to Jesus regarding this and Jesus encouraged him from the word of God. Thereafter Jesus described John the Baptist as the greatest prophet that ever came before Jesus. Jesus regarded John the Baptist and highly esteemed him. He talked only about John's strengths and not his weaknesses.
Elijah spoke only one sentence of prayer and it did not rain for a period of 3 years - 1Kings 17:1
However, he had to pray fervently and for a longer time before it could rain again - 1Kings 18: 41-45. This happened because Elijah did not deliver God's message to Ahab exactly the way he was sent. The Lord asked Elijah to show himself to King Ahab and that God will send rain but by the time he met King Ahab, he already had the idea about the sacrifice - 1Kings 18:1-24.
The sacrifice on mount Carmel was Elijah's idea and not God's. It was more of his self effort but God honoured his name by sending fire to consumed the sacrifice. The spirit of fear later came upon Elijah. He became depressed and suicidal; running away from Jezebel the wife king Ahab. God later demonstrated to him that he might send a fire, earthquake or great wind but it was not necessary for him to be in it - 1Kings19:9-13.
In other words, God was not in the fire that fell on mount Camel. However in the devastated state that Elijah was, God still made a way for him. God gave him certain instructions and Elijah adhered to them. The instructions were enough for Elijah, he stopped having a pity party but encouraged himself in The Lord. God then continued to use him mightily because Elijah did not give up. Ultimately, Elijah went to heaven gloriously in a chariot of fire.
When men are cast down, then thou shalt say, There is lifting up; and he shall save the humble person - Job 22:29
With Abraham, God said "walk with me and be perfect. In his imperfection, God was still interested in him. Whatever state you are right now, God is still interested in you. He is calling you to walk with him.
Moses even though did not enter the promise land, was honoured by God when he appeared at the mount of transfiguration representing the law of the Old Testament.
Remember in all your mistakes, Jesus has paid the price on the cross of Calvary. Your sins are already forgiven. All you need to do is receive forgiveness. God will never give up on you, so you don't have to give up on yourself.
Jonah was in the whale's belly because of his disobedience to God; but Jonah did not give up. By faith he cried out to The Lord and his prayer was answered. God commanded the whale to vomit Jonah and he was given a second chance to do what God asked of him.
Jesus came as the son of man and endured persecution. He did not give up. He overcame all his troubles and received the crown of glory purchasing redemption for all man kind.
All these are men of like passion like you. Never give up because the grace of God is sufficient for you. The Lord sees your strength and calls you by his name. Start to confess what The Lord says about you. See yourself the way God sees you. Victory is yours and you will fulfil your destiny in Jesus name.
Enjoy the blessings of God.
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