2 Corinthians 4:17 [NLT] “For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!”

DAILY READING; • Matthew 9:18-38; Leviticus 5-6; Proverbs 21

Prior to 1859, petroleum oil could only be collected in very meager amounts through a procedure of soaking it up from the ground with blankets.
The history of the oil business as we know it began in 1859 when an American oil driller named Edwin Drake became motivated to increase the level of oil production.
When Edwin Drake was employed by Seneca Oil Company to search for oil, he decided that the best way to find huge amounts of oil was to dig for it. He used an old steam engine to power a drill into the ground in search of oil.
He invested huge resources and endless labor into a search that spanned more than a year without results.
People laughed at him and called him ‘Crazy Drake’ but he remained single-minded in his quest. The well he constructed was called “Drake’s Folly” by some people because they doubted it could ever work.
As his venture continued to prove unsuccessful, his employees, Seneca Oil Company abandoned him and Drake had to rely on friends to back his enterprise.
After months of unsuccessful drilling, eventually on August 27, 1859, Drake succeeded as huge amounts of oil gushed through his well! His idea had worked!
Before long he had a steady supply of about 400 gallons of pure oil every 24 hours. This was a stunning amount when compared to the meager outputs collected with blankets from oil seeps.
This launched the petroleum age and led to the Pennsylvania oil rush. The success of Drake’s well essentially created a new industry, and led to the rise of men such as John D. Rockefeller who made vast fortunes in the oil business.

Indeed we need to keep pressing forward despite the discouraging situations we may sometimes face in life. There is a reaping for us when we refuse to faint or give up on our goal. It doesn’t matter how long you may have toiled in the past, if you persist, it is only a matter of time before you eventually win.
In Mark 5:25-34, the woman with the issue of blood could have given up because of the discouragements around her, but because she refused to quit and kept on pressing forward to touch Jesus, she eventually received her miracle.

Setbacks or criticisms should never deter or stop us from pressing forward in God’s plan for us.
Most failures result in life because people gave up without knowing how really very close they were to victory.
Life is in times and seasons. Every time of challenge, is only a phase of life. It too shall pass. Every problem, they say, has an expiry date. Therefore do not let temporary hurdles stop your long distance race.
We must always maintain steadfast faith in God’s Word, despite contrary circumstances.
Indeed to see the manifestation of our miracles, we must be persistent in faith. Persistence eventually wears down resistance.
Don’t get tempted to stop praying if you didn’t get immediate answers to prayers. Even in situations that does not seem to make sense, you must keep trusting in the Lord with all your heart. As you do, it is only a matter of time before you see how each setback eventually plays into God’s master plan for you..
Therefore, rather than fret or worry over challenges, choose to bless the Lord at all times and let His praise continually be on your lips. Through daily study of the Scriptures and fervent prayers, keep your faith strong. Surely there is an end and your expectations will not be cut off.

PRAYER; Lord I thank You for granting me the grace to keep pressing forward. By Your grace I will not be discouraged nor give up. And as I keep praising You, I know indeed my miracle is on the way in Jesus Name.

QUOTE
When you praise God despite your situation power is released for a raise. WORDBITE 222..