Perseverance

Some Christians have been taught that all one has to do to get things from God is to speak the word of faith, believe, and receive.  That comes close to the truth, but it neglects the universal Law of Perseverance.  God slowly yields the good things of the kingdom and the world to those who struggle.  Jacob, for instance, wrestled all night with an angel before he became Israel, a prince with God.  Abraham waited a hundred years before he received Isaac, the child of promise.  The people of Judah waited and struggled seventy years in capacity before God brought them home.
This does not negate the necessity for asking in faith, the believing, and the receiving.  But many times those steps are only the beginning of the process.  The fulfillment may take years….
Jesus knew men inside out.  He knew our tendency to give up quickly, to become inconsistent and lackadaisical.  Yet he pleaded  with us to persist, in prayer and in all aspects of life.
Keep on asking, he said, keep on seeking, and keep on knocking.  Don’t be afraid even to make a ruckus.  God prefers persistence much more than slothfulness and indolence.  He wants people who will travail and perhaps stumble a bit, but keep on going forward, just like a toddler who’s trying to learn to walk.  The child builds muscles and learns.  One day he will run.

(From The Secret Kingdom by Pat Robertson)

Psalms 37:24

Though they stumble, they will not fall,
for the LORD holds them by the hand.

Proverbs 4:18

The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day.

Jeremiah 32:40

And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, promising not to stop doing good for them. I will put a desire in their hearts to worship me, and they will never leave me.

1 Corinthians 16:13

Be on guard. Stand true to what you believe. Be courageous. Be strong. 14And everything you do must be done with love.

As the Corinthians awaited Paul’s next visit, they were directed to (1) be on their guard against spiritual dangers, (2) stand firm in the faith, (3) be courageous, (4) be strong, and (5) do everything with kindness and in love. Today, as we wait for the return of Christ, we should follow the same instructions.

Hebrews 10:23

Without wavering, let us hold tightly to the hope we say we have, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.

My Ramblings

What tasks are hard for you to finish?  What attitudes make finishing difficult?  Boredom?  Indifference?  Loneliness?  Ask a close friend to be firm with you when your motivation falters.  Pray for perseverance.

My current life is based on perseverance.  I am in my 70’s and work hard to keep my body  in shape so that God can use it to achieve His will.