Have you ever wanted to give up?

Have you ever wanted to give up? I have. Think about the two woman - the two Mary's - that went to the tomb early on that first Easter Sunday morning. Why did they go? Was it hope - hope that they would see Jesus alive. No. They didn't have that hope. They didn't believe He was alive; if they had, they wouldn't have brought the oils to put on His dead body. Why did they go? It was out of duty - devotion. After all, what hope could a dead man give? None.

Are there times in your life when you are required to give something without getting anything in return? Of course there are. That's what these two women thought they were doing - putting oils on a dead body, not expecting to get anything in return.

What if they had given up? What if they decided to turn back when they had gone part way? What if they had asked. "What's the use?" What if they had said, "We're tired of being the only ones who care. Let His disciples do this."

What would they have missed if they had given up? They would have missed seeing the angel. They would have missed seeing the empty tomb. They would have missed seeing Jesus.

What will you miss if you give up? That new job you have been trying to get. Seeing the salvation of a loved one or friend. The return of a prodigal son or daughter.

In our case: the house is ours!

The lesson. DON'T GIVE UP!! DON'T QUIT! God still answers prayers. He was watching and listening to the two Mary's. He is watching and listening to you, too.