Never Give In

Reading:   Isaiah 1

In the first half of this first chapter, Isaiah really hammers down the wickedness of Israel and how far the chosen people had fallen from righteousness, "...The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint (v. 5)." The Israelite disregard of faith and heritage was so ensconced that their religious ceremonies and acts of prayer were considered blasphemous by God...

ISAIAH 1:13, 15

13    Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting. 

15    And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood. 

An interesting thing happens in verse eighteen, despite their heinous acts, a calmness occurs in Isaiah's speech, almost a pleading for Israel to give heed - there is still hope...

ISAIAH 1:18

18    Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. 

Here is where I want my emphasis to reside; the simple truth that all can be and will be forgiven if repentance is honestly sought.  There is a plethora of articles, speeches, videos, and wisdom available  in regards to this scripture but the one talk that really captured my desire for insight included a Peanuts comic strip...

Doesn't that lay it out quite succinctly?  The address that brought this idea of resolutions and moving forward without the weight of regret was given by Robert L. Backman at the 1989 October General Conference (Priesthood Session) in a speech titled, Chastity: The Source of True Manhood.  Elder Backman pleads, with the subtlety of Isaiah, for our resolve to avoid pitfalls and look steadfastly ahead...

...Take control of your life. It is your body-the clothing of your spirit-you are dealing with. Don't become a slave to your appetites or passions. Be mature enough to have the spirit control your body. Self-control is vital when you are resisting what you know is wrong, especially when a friend insists. This self-control comes with practice, so it's important to build your inner strength. Constantly remind yourself that you are a son of God with great things to do.  

Winston Churchill, that courageous World War II statesman, gave sound advice to all of us. He thundered his conviction: "Never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never-in nothing, great or small, large or petty-never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense." (Address to Harrow School, 29 Oct. 1941, in John Bartlett, Familiar Quotations, 15th ed., Boston: Little, Brown, and Co., 1980, p. 745.) 

We must, after accepting the cleansing power of repentance, move forward with a thundering conviction to "...Never give in!"  Let our past transgressions be ladders of learning not weighted crosses of self reproach.  You have been forgiven!  I have been forgiven!  Wisdom is the result and strength to move on, never give in, and to forever fight forward, must be our mission!

~Kipling