Let's "Hang In There"

Life is not easy at times. We have all been in situations that are difficult, in places we’d not rather be, but we “hang in there” because of strong motives which involve love and loyalty. We have all been there — we’re staying up with a loved one in the hospital who is very ill into the wee hours of the morning. Our bodies are crying out for sleep, but we keep faithful vigil for any unusual symptoms that might develop, so we can immediately call a nurse if there is a problem. Why are we sacrificing our time and much needed sleep? Simply because we have a great love and concern for our loved one (John 11:32-36; cf. John 13:34; John 15:12-13).

In our employment, we may be enduring a job we don’t really enjoy doing, working under a boss that we can hardly stand, but our family needs the money, so we “hang in there” and give it all we've got (1 Peter 2:18-20; Ephesians 6:5-8).

Perhaps we have to stay with a spouse through some painful conflict. We long for those “better days” that we once experienced, but we make the best we can out of the situation because of the Lord’s teaching, and the hope that the good days will return if we will just be patient and wait on the Lord (Job 42:10-17; cf. Psalm 27:14; Psalm 31:23-24).

And what parents haven’t experienced stormy periods with their children? Some of us have had to endure some bitter times and we have shed bitter tears (cf. Proverbs 10:1; Proverbs 17:25). In raising our children, maybe we have endured an insult or two along the way. Yet, we haven’t given up because we want to do our best in bringing up our children “in the training and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). Our enduring love for them is similar to our Lord’s enduring love for us (1 John 3:16; 1 John 4:8-11).

Beloved, knowing the deep, caring, and abiding love that our heavenly Father has for each one of us (John 3:16-17; Romans 5:8-10; 1 John 4:9-10), let’s “hang in there” — never leaving our post of duty and devotion, firmly planted in His divine and eternal love (1 Corinthians 15:58; cf. 1 Corinthians 13:13; 2 Peter 1:1-4).

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets