If we are having trouble keeping our confession of
faith, we need to take hold of mercy. Obtaining mercy
will enable us to be faithful to God. Paul illustrated this
in 1 Corinthians 7:25. In dealing with family affairs in
the Church, he said, “Now concerning virgins I have
no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment,
as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful.”

It was the revelation of mercy that caused Paul to be
faithful to God. It was as if he said, “I’ve never received
a commandment of God in this, but I am faithful enough
to God and He is faithful enough to me that I know how
He thinks about it, and I will just go ahead and tell you.”
Paul knew that obtaining the mercy of God would keep
men from fainting and preserve their faith.

The Apostle Peter acknowledged the scriptural truth
of what Paul said and continued the same thought when
he wrote 2 Corinthians 4:1: “Therefore seeing we have this
ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; but have
renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking
in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully;
but by manifestation of the truth….”

Have you ever fainted in the middle of your confession
of faith and said, “Dear God, I just can’t hold on to this any
longer. I don’t think I can continue to stand up. I have been
confessing this thing for weeks and weeks. How long am
I going to have to do it?” If you have come to that place,
remember Ephesians 6:13 says, “Wherefore take unto you
the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand
in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand
therefore….” If you are ready to stand forever, you won’t be
there very long.

Gloria Copeland