GRIT: Greatness Revealed in Time

Luke 21:19 (NLT) By standing firm, you will win your souls.

Matthew 7:13-14 (NLT) “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it."

A few weeks ago I was privileged to preach a message on grit. The Lord gave me this acronym for grit: Greatness Revealed in Time. The dictionary defines grit as courage and resolve; strength of character; resilient; steadfast; enduring. Steadfast is defined as firmly fixed in place, immovable, firm in belief, determined, loyal. Then enduring: is lasting, to take a stand.

There are so many wonderful examples of people with grit in the scriptures. Some of my favorite Old Testament examples are Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Esther, Ruth & King David. While I don't have the space to explain every detail in this devo, I want to highlight some of their trials and triumphs.

Noah: God was ready to destroy the earth but Noah found GRACE in the eyes of the Lord (Gen 6:8) This OT word for grace is FAVOR. The bible says Noah was a just man & he walked with God. We should all be this example for Christ, live right before the Lord, walk with Him and you will find favor! Noah did ALL the Lord told him to do. He was 600 years old when the flood waters came - historians estimate its took about 75 years to build the ark. That takes GRIT! Patience, endurance, and a relationship with God! At the end of it all, Noah's family was saved from destruction, God grants His rainbow of promise to never flood the entire earth again and the GRIT kept him safe, the Greatness of God's Glory was Revealed in Time!

Abraham: God tells Abram to leave his country, leave his father's house and go to a new land along with his wife Sarai and his nephew, Lot. Abram obeyed! He was 75 years old at this point. (Gen 12:4-5) He and Sarah had grit while waiting for Isaac, in his old age and in her barrenness. The GRIT: the Greatness of God's Glory was revealed in Time through the promised son, Isaac.

Isaac: Trusted his father, Abraham, when he was going to be sacrificed. We don't see a record of him trying to fight for his life and go against his father but he trusted him through the process and Greatness was Revealed in Time! God provided!

Jacob: Served Laban 7 years to marry Rachel - (Gen 29:20 - love story) it only felt like a few days to him, but had to work for her father for 14 years total. Greatness was Revealed in Time - he received his reward of a wife, the one whom he loved! He had a lot of grit!

Joseph: Trusted God even when his brother's sold him into slavery & told his father he was dead; staying faithful even when Potiphar's wife lied about him and he was thrown in prison; forgotten by the butler, then years later, Greatness was Revealed in Time. He was given the opportunity to go before Pharaoh and correctly interpret his dream and was given the rank of 2nd in command (Gen 41:37).

Moses: In the wilderness 40 years with 1,000's of complainers. Look, I can barely handle 1 person that's ungrateful. Don't multiple that for me please. The journey was only supposed to take 11 days but because of the people they went around and around for 40 years. An 11 day vacation may be glorious if turned into 40 years right - this was far from a vaca! Greatness was Revealed in Time - he led them to the land and was able to see the promise, even though he himself did not enter. He remained faithful!

Esther: Her GRIT SAVED HER PEOPLE!!! God's people have been plotted against for centuries and Esther had the courage to go before the king and risk her own life to save the lives of her entire people! Greatness was Revealed in Time. She was set apart for such a time as this!

Ruth: She refused to leave her mother-in-law. She clung to Naomi. Her GRIT caused her to become the great grandmother of King David and in the lineage of King Jesus! She waited for her Boaz and Greatness was Revealed in Time!

King David: Anointed King as a shepherd boy - but had to wait for the fulfillment and during this waiting period he kills Goliath and is chased down by Saul. Greatness was Revealed in Time - He became king over Judah & all of Israel & reigns a total of 40 years.

Grit is what causes us to withstand the trials of time, and the persecution of the world. We just don't care what other's think! We are not going to be a people walking on eggshells afraid to offend someone. I challenge you to offend every devil in hell!

Plead the blood of Jesus over your family, be bold in the Holy Ghost, take charge of your faith, help people, don't get sidetracked by the haters. Get enamored with King Jesus! Be determined in your faith, in your thinking, in your living. Our lives should be a living sacrifice for Jesus. Christianity is a lifestyle and we are blessed to be alive for such a time as this! Use your time wisely, help as many people as your can through sharing the gospel and meeting practical needs. Arrive at death with no regrets because the GREATNESS WILL BE REVEALED IN TIME!