Psalm 30:5 KJV

Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning..

DAILY READING Matthew 18:1-20; Numbers 5-6; Ecclesiastes 5.

In 1994 it looked like the darkest nights of Evander Holyfield’s life. It seemed his boxing career was over. Everything seemed to be against him. He had just lost his heavy weight title in a 12 round decision to Michael Moorer. He was devastated to have lost it, because he had worked so hard to become the heavy weight champion. Prior to the title, the press used to taunt him as a cruiser weight who will never survive the heavy weight division,  And he had worked hard to discredit them by winning the heavyweight title; but now he had lost the title.  Not only had he just lost his last fight, but he had found that he had an even bigger problem. During the fight he  had a heart attack, and after examination doctors and specialist at the respected Mayo clinic had just told him he had a very serious heart problem and because of this he would never box again. Therefore his career as a professional boxer was over.

It was a devastating period in Evander’s life, first losing his title and then losing his career. Evander could have given up, tied up his boxing gloves and retired home to bemoan his fate, but then something was different, Evander knew God. He knew no matter what the doctors said, it was not yet over until God said so. So he threw the doctors report behind him and went to God in prayer. He prayed and prayed, even when it seemed as if nothing was happening he continued to pray to God. And then one day he knew he had his answer. Confidently he went back to the doctors at Mayo clinic. When they examined him, they were all amazed. They could hardly believe it. Evander’s heart was perfectly alright. When they questioned him, Evander told them it was God that healed his heart. The same doctors who declared him unfit to ever fight again, now gave him a clean bill of health, declaring his heart was sound and he could go on in his boxing career. And he did go on to win back his heavy weight title, and made history as the only fighter to have won the heavyweight title five times.

What could have been his darkest night turned around to become the brightest day of his life. This is why you must never give up. No matter how dark the situation  hold on to God and keep pressing forward. When Evander at first began to pray and it seemed as if his heart condition was not changing, as if nothing was happening, at that point he could have given up and accepted the doctor’s verdict that indeed it was all over and he would never box again. But he continued believing in God, until his answer came.

Perhaps you too have been praying concerning your situation, though it may look as if nothing is happening God is indeed up to something, He is at work. Delay is not denial. Your day is coming. When Daniel prayed for 21 days, what he did not know was that from the first day he began to pray, an angel had been dispatched on his behalf. So no matter what it may look like outwardly, continue to hold on to God, He will surely see you through. It doesn’t matter how difficult things may appear now, your sun will still come up tomorrow, and things will surely get better. With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts. You will not be defeated, you will not be overcome. Your strength will be renewed like the eagles’ and you will rise and soar. No matter how dark your night, it shall break forth into your day.  Your joy is coming, your victory is on the way and your testimony is sure in Jesus Name.

PRAYER: Father please enable me to persevere in the place of prayer,  open my eyes to see the opportunities that abound around me. Enable me to continue to press forward, grant ,me  the right perspective so that I can act right in every situation in Jesus’ name.

 quote :

The tests you are going through in life today is not for your destruction, it is for your testimony. – WORDBITE 222

[ADAPTED FROM THE BOOK TRIUMPH OF LIGHT OVER DARKNESS]