Don’t Stop Too Soon

Sharon JaynesConfidence in Christ, God's love, God's Promises, Living Fully, Prayer, Take Hold of the Faith You Long For 137 Comments

Can I make a confession? Sometimes I quit too soon. I’ve quit when what I really needed to do was press on and press through. Sometimes I’ve gotten tired of trying. Sometimes I’ve gotten tired of the struggle. And you know what? I’ve missed many blessings because I got tired of the battle. I don’t want to do that any longer. I’m taking my cues from Joshua.

The battle plan to take the Promised Land was as simple as it was strange. March around the city of Jericho with all the armed men. Do this in silence, once a day for six days. Then on the seventh day, walk around seven times with the priests blowing the trumpets. Have the whole army give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the army will go straight in.

Now, that was a strange plan. God’s infinite ways often don’t make sense in our finite minds. Sometimes you have to be willing to look ridiculous and be radical to live a remarkable life. The choices you make when you feel God’s nudge will become the hinges on which your destiny swings. Each individual decision you make, to obey or ignore God’s promptings and directives, is a thread that weaves the tapestry of your life.

Jericho was tightly shut up. Sometimes it can feel that our promises are tightly shut up. That doesn’t mean that we give up. That means that we suit up, step up, and keep moving forward.

God said, “See, I have delivered them into your hands.” Notice that verb tense. God did not say, “I will deliver them into your hands.” He said, “I have delivered them into your hands.” He had already done it, but they had to obey and put their foot down to receive it. I love how God speaks in past tense to our present problems.

But here’s the conundrum: What do you do when what God says doesn’t match up with what you see? When all you see is a big wall standing between your promise and your present situation?

There will be times when you are doing everything you know to do, and you still don’t see any movement. The Israelites walked around Jericho for six days, and as far as they could tell, nothing happened. I’m sure it unnerved the people behind the wall, but as far as the walkers could tell, not one brick fell.

This is where many give up—when they don’t see any progress. The son is still taking drugs. The daughter is still living with her boyfriend. The husband is still cold and aloof. The bank account is almost empty.

“God, throw me a bone,” I cry. “Show me a little something! Let me see just a hint of progress! Can I see one brick fall?” And God says, “Keep walking … by faith.”

Just because you don’t see God working does not mean that He isn’t. Jesus said, “My Father is always at work” (John 5:17).

The writer of Hebrews notes: “So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised” (Hebrews 10:35).

Today, you might be on lap number seven and not even know it. Joshua told them to march around Jericho, but he didn’t tell them how many times they were going to have to do it. He just said to “march forward” and “remain silent.”

Suppose they had stopped on day six saying, “This is ridiculous. I’m not feelin’ it. Not one stone has fallen to the ground. I don’t see any progress. Those folks are probably in there laughing their heads off. I’m going home.”

They would have missed the blessing.

I wonder how many times I have missed the blessing because I stopped too soon. Perhaps you’ve wondered:

  • How much longer will I have to wait until God brings my prodigal home?
  • How much longer will I have to struggle with this unbelieving husband?
  • How much longer will I have to endure this dead-end job?
  • How much longer will I have to go without a job?
  • How many more laps will I have to walk around Jericho before the walls come tumbling down and I can take hold of my Promised Land?

I don’t know the answer to your question of how much longer, but I do know this, tomorrow could be the final lap. Don’t give up too soon.

Can I tell you something? Sometimes I get tired of writing books, posting devotions, and crafting blogs. But as I sit down to the keyboard, I realize that something I say might be just what someone needs to take that last lap around her walled up promise. So I write. And then someone has the courage and sustenance to take one more lap.

Keep going, my friend!

Lord, sometimes I just get tired of trying. Tired of hanging on. Tired of believing for a miracle. Fill me with Your power to persevere. I’ll take the next step and believe for the next day. I will not give up! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Go back and read the story of Joshua and the fall of the wall of Jericho in Joshua 5:13-6:21. I know it ends in a bloody mess. The Sunday school teachers left that part off the flannel board story. Don’t get stuck on that. Concentrate on those laps around the wall. On what day do you think you would have started grumbling?

  • On what day do you think you would have thought Joshua had a crazy plan?
  • On what day would you have wanted to give up?
  • On what day did they see the victory?

If you’ll join me and taking as many laps around the walls in your life as necessary, leave a comment and say, “I’m going to keep on going!”

Take Hold of the Faith you Long For

Today’s devotion comes from my book, Take Hold of the Faith You Long For: Let Go, Move Forward, Live Bold. Let’s take hold of all that Jesus has already taken hold of for us and placed in us!

Need a little help knowing what words to say and what words to avoid with your adult children? Click here for a FREE resource that will help build your relationship.

 

 

 

 

2023 by Sharon Jaynes.  All rights reserved.

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Comments 137

      1. I have been thinking of giving up on my son ever speaking to me. We were very close at one point but we haven’t spoken in over 6 1/2 years. It breaks my heart and the fact that he also barely speaks to my parents and aunt makes me angry. He hadn’t seen them for over 6 years until a few months ago. I keep praying that God will open his eyes and heart to his love and help him turn away from the life he is leading but I’m losing hope. Thank you for reminding me to not give up!

        1. Thank you Dawn for your comment. I am in a similar situation with my son and I have thought about giving up many times. Thanks for reminding me to not give up also. I pray your son and mine will come back to us.

        2. Thank you Dawn for your comment. I am in a similar situation with my son and I have thought about giving up many times. Thanks for reminding me to not give up also. I pray your son and mine will come back to us.

    1. Thank you so much for your devotion to the prompting of the Holy Spirit.
      It seems every day I read your devotion it’s just what I needed to keep moving forward and and allows me to see the truth in my own life.
      I thank the Lord for your words of growth.
      Your sister through our Lord Jesus Christ.
      Rebecca Mainka

  1. I’m going to keep on going in praying for our adult son to come back to God;
    For my sister to find freedom from the addiction;
    That I would be able to walk fully in Gods freedom and His Word

  2. I have three people in my life that I must continue to walk more laps as I wait on the Lord Praise God, who is always at work! John 5:27. I just need to hold onto that and believe. GREAT DEVOTIONAL-THANK YOU SHARON

  3. I’m really glad you wrote this one because I needed it today! Even though my life is full of good things, EVERYTHING is at a standstill and I want to move forward so badly. But all God has been telling me for the last two years is to keep doing what I’m doing and just wait. Thank you for this devotional, it was so encouraging!

    1. Wow! Thank you… I have a picture frame of my 16 young grandchildren between 3 months & 22yrs. on the wall in my prayer room …. I lift them up in prayer everyday trusting they will be protected from the evil one . This culture is full of WALLS! I appreciate the resource you provided today.
      I KNOW that I KNOW there is a God who loves me ! I pray my 6 adult children , their spouses and children will encounter the God ( not the cultures idols) who loves them unconditionally and is waiting for them to seek Him.
      Yes- I will keep walking &praying even when I feel like giving up !
      Twenty three years ago I ran a marathon now I’m rerunning a 26 mile marathon all over again – in my head! I remember how I hit a wall and didn’t think I could finish …. It was torture! I was one of the slowest participants but I DID finish in memory of my brother in law who died from AIDS and all the families who were affected or infected with the virus.
      I had forgotten about the marathon until now — I did it once and now I will continue to run a marathon in my head. Thank you for being an inspiration filled with the Holy Spirit.

  4. Oh how this came at the right time, it’s 5:35am my husband just left for work and I have been praying for our marriage since December 2022, it’s now may 30th 2023 we have had trials and tribulations one after another, I went to a woman’s meeting of Sharon’s and bought the book “praying for my husband from head to toe, in 30 days,” it’s awesome, I’m learning lots But I’m still waiting for these walls he’s put up to come tumbling down, and for him to put his Ring back on his finger. I pray daily, all through our the day for us and our marriage, we had a disagreement last night, and I wasn’t able to sleep, but I still got up and seen him off this morning, and was feeling down and this came to my phone just when I needed it. Thank God !!

  5. Thank you for writing today! I needed this message. And, I am sharing it w my young adult daughter. God always has a plan!

    My favorite quote in this devotion was “ I love how God speaks in past tense to our present problems.”
    Amen!! ♥️

  6. Thanks so much, Sharon! I totally needed to hear that this am. My son, has for last two years, has been living in our basement (it’s really nice!), not working due to anxiety and depression, and because my husband (and I, because we are a team) have enabled him to do so. This is not the right thing to do. My husband was a youth pastor 10 years ago. I can’t be judgy. I pray we instruct our son in the way he should go with God leading the way. I need to keep in going and not give up! It’s the same thing with both my husband and son for the last 4-5 years and I’m getting very tired. But I know that God is in charge and I am obeying Him because I love Him and He loved me first. Thanks again for this great encouragement.

  7. I will continue to walk the laps God has placed before me; knowing that the 7th lap is soon approaching, if I don’t grow weary and faint.

  8. I’m going to keep on going as I pray for my prodigal husband to return to Christ. Help me to keep on keeping on as the years go by, and it appears nothing is happening. Thank you, Jesus, for this devotional to spur me on in the battle!!

  9. Thank you! I absolutely needed to hear this. I’ve been praying for a miracle, for God to move a mountain for years and I’m still praying. I won’t quit until He answers but I do get tired and wonder at times if I should continue. This hits home for me.

  10. Please keep posting your devotions!! Today I really needed to hear this. I have a situation in my home and I wonder if I am doing the right thing or not. Reading this today I realize God has not forgotten me and I just need to keep going and trusting Him for the answer. He is a good God.

  11. I really needed to hear this today! It’s right on time for me with some situations going on in some relationships with 2 of the people that matter the most to me. One is my best friend (so I thought for over 50 years) and the other is my 24 year old son who is the apple of my eye. Both have been doing and saying a lot of hurtful things and have gotten me so anxious and depressed. I’m trying to distance myself from both of them until I can get myself strong enough to face them head on.

  12. I really need to keep going. I dont kniw the lap I’m on and I am the person who needed these words today. I am the one struggling for the longest time and wonder when there will be the breakthrough or if there will be.

  13. Thank you and the “ GiG” for all that has been done and said in the name of spiritual goodness you are all heaven sent an inspiration to many hearts and souls! No doubt I’am going to miss those sweet sound words of encouragement that inspired my every lap each morning
    as I looked forward to each pull up
    I thank God for each one of you that has shared in these precious devotions so faithfully Oh how I wish I could fold you’s up and wear you in my pocket in a nice way!
    You are missed already and I too feel the tears as I await the final moment of no more devotions
    I feel the presence of that absence in my ❤️ However I’am ever so grateful for your season of Love and
    Prayerfully have faith that God is moving you’s to greater!
    May God forevermore Bless and keep you and your family in his perfect peace. And I shall embrace each printout of my “ Girlfriends in God” devotions as I surrender to each lap around the wall of Jericho
    Marching in tune with the girlfriends for the Love of God!
    His Grace is sufficient!

  14. I’m going to keep going. My daddy had a stroke yesterday evening and is non- verbal. I’m going to keep trusting God with his healing. Thank you for words of wisdom!

  15. Thank you Sharon! I needed to read this. It’s so easy to get impatient and lose hope when things don’t look the way I think or hope they should.

    I’m going to keep going.

  16. Yes yes yes!! Throw me a bone God I love that analogy. Bc that’s where I been for a while now.. just give me a little something to let me know I’m on the right path, that I’m going the right way and I’m getting closer to the things I know God has for me in every area

  17. I’m going to keep on going! I pray for God to reveal His directives and promptings to me clearly, so that I can do His will. Amen!

  18. Sharon, thank you for persevering, to help us do the same. May God bless you many times over. In Jesus name, Amen.

  19. I am going to keep on going when my eyes don’t see the victory, when I want to cry, I know where my hope is and Who it is in. Thank you Father for words of encouragement through others. I will go the next step and the next. I will keep my eyes upon You Father. And not what I donor don’t see or feel.😊🙏

  20. I have been dealing with chronic pain the past 12 years. I long to give up so often, but I know I must persevere and be steadfast, trusting the Lord to help me through each day, each moment.
    James 1:12 means a lot to me. “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him.”
    I will keep marching….

  21. Your message is right on time. Thank you for reminding me to hang in there and to keep marching until the wall tumbles. God bless you!

  22. Exactly what I needed this morning. I was just telling God yesterday that I’m done, I’m not praying for His help anymore with an ongoing hurt filled situation. But this- this was God talking to me through your words! Thank you! I will do another lap today!

  23. I am right in that place. I was so close Hod and I know He is not the one who left. I know He IS there. I’m so tired of lies. I hat lies. They tear relationships apart. Why do the ones you live most tell lies, I do not know. All I know is, it hurts. I’m going through a lot more. My Mama has vascular dementia and it’s really hard to watch. I try to help with her caregiving. It’s pitiful at times. I don’t need to worry about lies on top of all this. I really don’t know what to say. My husband says he doesn’t want to talk about the lie because he has already asked God to forgive him and he knows He has. So where does that leave me? My heart hurts.

  24. Thank you for keeping on keeping on, Sharon! Your words are just what I needed to hear today. I will continue to pray for my husband’s faith and take steps towards the mission the Lord has given me, trusting that God is still at work even when I can’t see Him.

    1. Thank you so very much Sharon. The devotionals mean so much to me. This mornings post really opened my eyes to God’s faithfulness. I am going to keep on marching around the walls the enemy has erected around my loved ones hearts. Prayer is powerful and effective at taking down strongholds and tearing down walls. God is able. Amen

  25. God’s perfect timing for this devotion to land in my inbox. Thank you Sharon for your beautiful words and reminder to wait on God. I am going to keep on going too.

  26. I’m going to keep on going! Not sure what lap I am on, I will keep going until the walls come down and our prodigal children return to the Lord!

  27. I did receive the long awaited blessing. How long was the wait 18 years! It was also a wait for the confirmation of an elementary teaching job of 3 1/2 weeks from the time I interviewed to the time I got the confirmation of the job. It has been a very long time in coming. Did I cry and complain along the way? Yes many many times. Other people would tell me not to give up, but honestly I had given up many times. God is still faithful, and he would renew my hope in a situation. Did I miss out on some blessings, I am sure that I did. Yet God never left me completely alone. He was there quietly guiding me and pointing the way for me. I may not have enjoyed every part of the journey, but as I look back he has been there every step of the way.

  28. I have had to keep on going before and it’s always worth it! Praying for all of those who need extra encouragement to keep on going

  29. I’m going to keep on going!!!! I thank God so much for YOU, that you keep on going because God working through you helps so many of us to live in faith and hope!!! God bless you richly Sharon!!

  30. It’s called perseverance and patience, two things I have trouble giving over to God, BUT his timing is better than mine. God came through with a health issue doctors were trying to diagnose with my husband. After two years someone finally thought to look at his over the counter and two prescribed medications to see if that was the issue. Praise God things are looking up!

  31. Thank you for your honesty, transparency and faithfulness!
    It is helpful to hear that there are others who experience the same struggles and question God. You know then you are not alone, but strangely enough that gives you that little extra push you needed to adjust once again your perspective and line it up with God’s. Thank you for continuing to encourage us❣️

  32. If you only knew how much I needed this today . I know God hears my prayers. I know He sees my tears , and your message this morning was my reassurance to keep praying.
    I am the reason why God placed this message in your heart Thank you 😘

  33. I look so forward to reading your devotions. Thank you for continuing! Seems like you always know exactly what words I need to hear!

  34. Sharon – I pray Gods strength over your heart and mind when you get tired too. You wrote what He put on your heart and I heard the encouragement I needed. Our God is so big and so good and yes, He needs us to show him our trust in Him.
    Thank you.

  35. Oh I’m going to keep marching around that wall. Bless you for words of encouragement. God’s timing is always perfect.

  36. I look forward to your devotions as each one seems to be what I needed to read. Thank you and God’s blessings 💜🙏🏼

  37. Needed this. Thank you! I’ve thought about just giving up thru many tears, but I made a promise to God that I won’t give up! Thank you for the reminder and re- enforcement. You have a great gift. Please don’t ever stop!

  38. Wow! I needed that today!! My son graduates high school on Friday and we’ve been marching around the same wall again and again! Is it ironic that his name is Joshua?! Thank you for this timely word from the Lord! Blessings!❤️

  39. “….But as I sit down to the keyboard, I realize that something I say might be just what someone needs to take that last lap around her walled up promise. So I write. And then someone has the courage and sustenance to take one more lap.” Yes, so many other subscribers along with myself that were moved by your commitment to compose this devotional today. Thank you Sharon. I am one with an unspoken request … too hard to share.

  40. I’M GOING TO KEEP ON GOING! This is exactly what I needed to hear today! Just this morning I was asking God, “how much longer must I endure this never ending road of sadness, frustration, stress??!” “When will it end?” God sent me this devotion to gently nudge me to keep moving forward by letting me know He hears me, my pleas and my cries. He sees my tear soaked pillow, my anxious heart and He says “I’m here, please keep walking forward. I’m with you.”

    “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 38:18 (NIV)

  41. Thank you for sitting down to write this, as you are correct…..many of us needed to hear/read this today!! I’m going to keep marching, even though I have felt like giving up. I know he is working all things for our good and he has sent signs along the way. I am blessed and have started to feel his peace more each day. Please keep the encouragement coming!!

  42. I’m going to keep on going. 🙏🚶🙏
    I was seeing the wall this morning, wondering if my laps of prayers for my husband, my daughter, and my son & daughter in law were useless . But I don’t want to miss the blessing of answered prayer, so I’ll continue marching in prayer . 🚶🙏

  43. I really needed to hear this today, thank you for posting, I pray you don’t give up. You are a blessing, you and all the GIG. Thank you so much, In the name of Jesus, Amen

  44. I’m going to keep on going. I don’t know how or where, but I know Who, and thank you, Sharon, for reminding me that’s all I need! Like you said, “God speaks in past tense to our present problems”! He’s already there! God sees the beginning from the end and the end from the beginning! It is finished! The battle is over! The victory is won! And like David said, “He restores my soul”!!!
    Hallelujah! Keep typing out His treasures to us, dear sister!!! There’s strength and healing in those God-given words!!

  45. This was such a timely and wonderful devotion. I was in ICU for 58 days. I almost passed away 2 times. I have MS, but I got Sepsis also. I was intubated, had a trache tube, and a peck tube. My husband, son, and family were so wonderful.
    I can’t begin to tell you all the procedures that I went through. God performed a miracle in my life. All the doctors and nurses were amazed at my progress. I thank all the people that prayed for me. I left the hospital on April 14, 2023. I am now going to physical therapy twice a week. I have long way to go, but with the Lord’s help, I will keep going forward.

  46. This devotion was very timely for me today. I was in ICU for 58 Days, I have M.S. But I developed Sepsis and was intubated for nearly a month.
    I had a trache tube as well as a pech tube for about 30 days. I almost passed away twice and was transferred to an acute care Hospital after the first 30 days. Many procedures were performed on me during that time. The Doctors and nurses were amazed at my progress. My Husband, Son and family were wonderful during this period. I was discharged 4-14-23, I am thankful for all the people that prayed for me. I am now going to Physical Therapy two times a week, The Lord has been so gracious to me, I have a long way to go, but am truly one of Gods Miracles.

  47. Thank you Sharon! I’m going to keep on going. I read Philippians 3: 12-14 everyday!
    As the apostle Paul says ” I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Jesus Christ has
    also laid hold of me.” God Bless you all.

  48. Thank you for not giving up, but instead choosing to keep going and keep writing! Your words have helped me to choose to keep going as well!

  49. Thank you Sharon, this was an imperative needed reminder today. Faith never gives up, and just keep thriving forward is the key. We are all blessed in so many ways!!!

  50. Just as everyone else has said, I needed this reminder that just because I don’t see the results of God’s work doesn’t mean that nothing is being done. I am so grateful for the reminder to keep on going no matter what. I have a wonderful husband who is not a believer and father in law too. And nephew by marriage too. I will keep on praying for them no matter how long it takes. Also, I have been house bound for 8 years with sickness. Sometimes I have felt like I will never get better. But I never give up. I have been making small progresses with my health the past couple years and am so thankful. I will keep going. Thank you for this devotion today. I have shared it with several people already.

  51. “I’m going to keep on going!” Thank you so very much for this message. I needed to read it as well as believe it. Have a beautifully blessed day!

  52. Juselda
    May 31, 2023, AT 2:48 PM

    Thank you Sharon for the words of encouragement I am waiting and my healing sometimes I wonder if God not hearing me are he forget me things are so bad the pain is from both knees to my ankle I can’t work can’t pay my rent and that’s the hard part sometime I just want to stop praying if I stop what else do I have nothing only Jesus I’m waiting and keep telling myself this too shall pass.

  53. Thank you Sharon for not quitting or giving up. Your words are so timely and so used by God to inspire us to wait, hold on and not give up. God bless you

  54. I’m going to keep going praying for my husband to come back to me after so many years. Thanks Sharon. I needed to read this. Blessings to all of you

  55. I’m going to keep going! Praying for my husband to come back to me after so many years. Thanks, Sharon. I needed to read this. Blessings to all of you.

  56. I am glad to have found your writings because they come from a similar place as my heart and hardships. You’re Always relatable and I have given in , gone left instead of right sooo many times. Now I have not much left but trying for it to be God’s will and not mine, God’s strength and not mine. Praise be to the God of 2nd and 3rd and so on chances. Blessings to you.

  57. I’m going to keep on going. Thank you Sharon for the devotional. I have been believing for the Lord to heal my knee (full knee replacement surgery) and help me walk correctly and without a limp. I’m getting better each day and I know that the Lord has healed me in Jesus’ name! Amen

  58. Thank you for your obedience. This mom and grandma has been walking in silence for a long time. Now I see the comments and realize I am not walking around the wall alone. Tears flow as I feel the heartbeats of so many sisters walking with me. We all walk in faith.

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