Dharius Daniels - Before I Let Go

Here’s the topic of today’s teaching: «Before I Let Go.» In 1994, an R&B group named Blackstreet released a record called «Before I Let You Go.» Although this song, released by this genius musical group, was created for entertainment, it also possesses educational value. If you listen closely to the lyrics, you will discover a lesson hidden within them. If you examine the lyrics with more than just natural eyes but with spiritual insight, you will understand what I mean. Shakespeare once said that when you look at things with spiritual eyes, you can see sermons in stones; you can observe anything and uncover spiritual truths. In fact, the Apostle Paul discusses this in Romans chapter one, where he asserts that creation serves as a revelation of the grandeur, goodness, and greatness of God. You can observe the Sun, which remains in place without physical attachment, and conclude that whoever created it is indeed great.

This is interesting because there is a lesson in these lyrics if we are willing to listen with a spiritual ear. Here is the lesson, family: you must catch this. There are some things we fail to understand when we quit; there are some lessons that do not flow because we let go. This song reveals and exposes the importance of the principle of perseverance. Some promises are reserved for those who persevere. In other words, the Bible states it this way in Hebrews 10:36: «You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.» So, it’s saying that even if I’m in God’s will, it does not mean I won’t have to wait. The enemy goes to work during the wait; he starts planting seeds of doubt. The enemy causes us to question what we heard while we wait. He uses the wait to instill worry and uncertainty about whether God will fulfill His word and if He will do what He said.

I know it may be too early for me to go here, but I feel a little old-school church vibe and want to remind someone of what I used to hear at the Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church in Kilmichael, Mississippi: «He may not come when you want Him, but He is always on time.» If you’re wondering when He will show up, just remember that whenever He arrives, even if it’s not when you expected, He will make it the right time. He is an on-time God, yes He is!

You have need of patience so that after you have done the will of God, after you’ve acted righteously, you may receive the promise. This is intriguing because some promises are only acquired by those who understand the principle of perseverance. Perseverance is actually long faith. Strong faith is not merely about believing big; it’s about believing long. The strength of your faith is revealed not in how boldly you can believe, but in how long you can maintain that belief. It is shown in your ability to keep on believing when it seems that faith is not working, to keep on declaring that it will happen when it looks like it won’t, to keep on testifying that it’s on the way when there is no evidence to suggest that it is. It’s the kind of faith that doesn’t wait for the manifestation to celebrate; it’s a faith that shouts, claps, rejoices, leaps, and dances right now. Long faith.

The Bible states that the testing of your faith produces patience. Therefore, if the testing of my faith generates patience, it means God tests my faith with time. He says, «Okay, you say you believe Me; I’m going to test that belief through time.» Some promises can only be attained through perseverance. This is why you and I need to understand something before we let go. I will say that again: this is something we need to know before you decide to let go. When you let go of something tangible, you may also be letting go of something intangible. When we release something that is causing us agitation, we might inadvertently let go of something God intends to use for our elevation.

This connects to a sermon series I am going to teach called «Red Flags.» This emphasizes why your discernment is essential and why your personal relationship with God is critical. I can teach you principles from the pulpit, but you need discernment to determine how to apply those principles to your unique situation. Sometimes you need to let go; other times, the devil desires for you to let go. I need discernment to know what I should hold on to because if you tell me to maintain my grip on something, come rain or shine, sleet or snow, I will be like Jacob…