During World War II, Winston Churchill was nicknamed the ‘British Bulldog’ after famously saying that “the nose of the bulldog is sloped backwards so it can keep breathing without letting go.” As Prime Minister he embodied this caricature not just for his jowly face and broad body but, much more so for his steadfast determination and dogged tenacity in leading his people to endure the hardships of war at a time when England was growing weary and losing heart.

Men, we are at war (Eph 6:10-20). Some of us are growing weary in living the life of obedience God has called us to (John 14:15, 21, 23,24). But through the Holy Spirit you have been given a bulldog’s ability to keep breathing and not let go. Through His strength you can moment by moment breath in the powerful truths of His word (2 Tim 3:16-17) and exhale your sin through confession (1 John 1:8-9). And you can find deep encouragement in the fact that the Father’s grip on you is much greater than your grip on Him (Luke 23:46).

In Hebrews 11, after revealing that we “have need of endurance” (Heb 10:36), the Lord gives us 17 examples of other bulldogs (Heb 11:1-40) who kept breathing the promises of His Word so that “by faith” they did not let go but endured in living for God in their culture. Brothers, take courage by the lives of these 17 who struggled and failed like us, but kept breathing the Father’s love and did not let go of His grace! Overwhelmed by sexual temptation? Overcome by discouragement? Tested by hard circumstances? Feeling the pain of broken relationships? Keep breathing and don’t let go of His grace.

Lastly, continue to surround yourself with men who will “run with endurance the race that is set before us fixing our eyes on Jesus...Who endured the cross...consider Him who endured...so that you will not grow weary and lost heart” (Heb 12:1-3).