In this sermon by Basil E. Schlink, he addresses the common experience of feeling tempted to give up and despair. He encourages listeners to not run away from difficulties, as life on earth is meant to be hard in order to overcome sin and be transformed into redeemed and joyful creatures. Schlink emphasizes the importance of embracing suffering and committing oneself to the cross, as Jesus suffered for us and understands our struggles. He concludes by urging listeners to trust in Jesus' love and victory, and to pray for endurance and trust in the midst of temptations.

God lives and works today. But perhaps you don't feel that way because you are full of doubts and despair, tempted to give up. Today's meditation by Basilie Ishling can show you the way out, for it offers us some helpful rules for fighting against temptation and despair. We've all experienced dark hours when we're tempted to give up. But when your soul starts to say, I can't go on, I can't take it anymore on Earth. I don't want to live anymore. It's too difficult for me. Then answer your soul, You coward. When times get hard, are you going to throw away your weapons? It has to be hard. Otherwise you wouldn't be able to win a victory. Yes, as long as we're here on Earth, life must be hard. If we want to be freed from the tyranny of sin, if we want to be transformed into redeemed, joyful creatures here, and for all eternity, sin has to be suffered away. Therefore, be brave and don't run away from difficulties. This is only a road. The end will be a shining light. However, if you try to avoid the hardships now, one day they will catch up with you, in eternity, or here on Earth, since we are fast approaching the time of judgment and wrath of the last days. But today is still a time of grace. You're in the kind hands of Jesus, who in His great love has thought and weighed out every splinter of your cross. So commit yourself to the cross, to suffering. In the valley of the shadow of death, the Good Shepherd will be with you, and He will lead you and bring you through to the other side. Therefore, never say, I can't go on. I can't take it anymore. My cross is just too difficult for me. I don't want to live anymore. No, say this, and Satan will flee. I want to go the way of the cross with Jesus, my Savior, who suffered for me. He endured agony for me. Shouldn't I follow Him and bear my misery? Am I above my Savior? Through suffering, He has passed into glory. Through suffering, He is now gloriously resplendent as the King of kings upon His throne. I need suffering, because I cannot reach the goal of heaven in any other way. Besides, Jesus is standing at my side. He who has suffered Himself and knows how difficult it is, and in His great love, He wants to help me now. He will help me and bring me to the goal. Therefore, let us pray together. Here we are, Lord Jesus. We are Yours, and we will not despair. In our temptations, we will endure to the end and trust in Your love, which is always victorious. Amen. If you do not have access to the web, please write to God Lives and Works Today, 9849 North 40th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85028-4099 God bless you.