Posted: 03 September 2025

From a sermon given on 31 August 2025:

Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
(1 Timothy 6:12)

God's promises are true, but they are not automatic. When He declares a word, it becomes certain in the spirit, yet we must enforce it on earth. Israel was promised Canaan, but they still fought to possess it (Deuteronomy 1:8; Joshua. 1:3). A promise is not a reason to relax - it is a call to action. Faith connects what God said to what we experience, and it demands persistence.

Jacob understood this at Jabbok. Though blessed by birthright, he wrestled with the angel saying, "....I will not let thee go, except thou bless me." (Genesis. 32:26). Contending is not rebellion - it is determination anchored in faith. God's word attracts opposition, so we must hold on in prayer and obedience. ".... the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force." (Matthew. 11:12). This is spiritual tenacity at work.

Paul told Timothy to "....mightest war a good warfare" (1 Timothy 1:18). Elijah prayed seven times for rain after God promised it (1 Kings 18:41–44). The woman with the issue of blood pressed through the crowd for healing (Matthew 9:21). These examples show that promises require persistence. If God has spoken, rise in faith, pray without ceasing, and refuse to give up. Victory belongs to those who contend.

Further Readings:

And Judah said unto Simeon his brother, Come up with me into my lot, that we may fight against the Canaanites; and I likewise will go with thee into thy lot. So Simeon went with him.
(Judges 1:3)

For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
(Hebrews 10:36)

For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.
(2 Corinthians 1:20)