Shine Like Stars: Devotions From Time of GraceSample

A Witness That Shines: God's stars never give up

Allied resistance to the invading Nazi armies sweeping through Belgium had collapsed. In June of 1940 it seemed as though all of Europe would fall. Winston Churchill had been Britain's prime minister for only a month, but he rallied the entire nation with his words to the House of Commons: "We shall fight on beaches, landing grounds, in fields, in streets, and on the hills. We shall never surrender." They didn't. The Allies prevailed.

Satan is a far more formidable adversary than even Hitler, but he can be beaten too. Never give up! Christ Jesus has crushed Satan's power over us and gives us the strength, through the Holy Spirit, to say no to his temptation to give up. No matter how great our losses, wounds, sins, and failures, all who hang onto Jesus in faith will ultimately inherit everything. St. James calls this splendid toughness 'perseverance'. "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him" (James 1:12).

Being a Christian star doesn't mean that you never fall. It means that you never quit believing in Jesus.