Perseverance

Perseverance seems to be the word of the hour right now. Those of you that have followed my blog for awhile, know that this is how the Spirit works with me. He usually gives me a thought and then I have it over and over for awhile. I guess it just takes me awhile to learn the lessons. But this week, it seems that I am suppose to understand the meaning of perseverance.

So I looked it up in the dictionary: 1. steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement. 2. Theology . continuance in a state of grace to the end, leading to eternal salvation. A synonym for perseverance is steadfast. Here is the definition: a : firmly fixed in place : immovable b : not subject to change 2 c : firm in belief, determination, or adherence


First of all it seems that it is trials that give us perseverance. They have a purpose. 
Romans 5:3 "Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance." 
James 1:12 "Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. 
James 1:3 "because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance." 
1 Peter 5:10 "And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast." 


Perseverance seems to be required in order to receive other Godly attributes. 
James 1:4 "Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." 2 Peter 1:6-8 "make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 
Psalm 51:10 "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." 


We will be rewarded for having persevered. 
Hebrews 10:36 "You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised." 
James 5:11 "As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy." Isaiah 26:31 "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you." Psalm 112:7 "They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the LORD." 


There are T.V. evangelists that would like us to think if we just had enough faith we would not have to endure any trials. But Jesus did not say "if" you have trials but "when". In John 16:33 we read "“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Notice in the Hebrews 12:1 verse that it says "the race marked out for us"?? That means that whatever it is I am going through is for a purpose, and that is why I can endure it with perseverance. It is my faith that causes me to run that race knowing that God promises, those of us who love Him, that He will work ALL things together for our good.(Romans 8:28) 

One of my favorite passages of the Bible is in Luke 11:5-13. Jesus had just taught His disciples the Lord's prayer. "Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’ And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything. I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need. “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

Perseverance. Keeping on, keeping on. Knowing that God my Father will only have my best at the center of His thoughts. And the best part of the perseverance race,is that I am not running by myself! Hebrews 12:1 "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." That cloud of witnesses includes Noah, Moses, Abraham, Joseph,David, Job, Ruth, Mary, Hannah,Peter, Paul, and so many more. Did any of these go through life without troubles? How about any of your spiritual heroes that have lived during your lifetime? Did any of them go through life unscathed? I can't help but think of my sweet father, who ran his own race of perseverance and in the midst of his trials would say "I am going to say hallelujah anyway".

And then if that isn't enough, God Himself is running the race with me. Jude 24-25 "To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—  to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen." So while I don't always understand the twists and turns of the race, I am certain of the finish line and I hope that I continue to run my race with perseverance and at the end I will hear my God say to me "Well done, my good and faithful servant."