May 4, 2014

Perseverance: April 28, 2014

TODAYS WORD FOR MONDAY APRIL 28, 2014.

PERSEVERANCE

DEFINITION:

Persist in something undertaken; to diligently persist in the pursuit of something in spite of obstacles or opposition or discouragement.

SCRIPTURE:

Tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Romans 5:3-4.

LEARNING AND EXPERIENCE:

Have you ever watched a bird try to build a nest in a tree? We have watched as a bird would carry dry grass and twigs, one piece at a time into the spot in the tree that they had chosen for their nest. It is painstaking work and takes perseverance, but the bird perseveres until the nest is built. Sometimes strong winds blow the nest away and soon the bird must begin the process all over again.

The perseverance of the birds in building their nests is inspiring. You can almost catch yourself cheering for the bird because it is a huge project for a small bird and yet they do not stop until the job is done. We watched humming birds build a nest in a bush at the side of our house. We have watched as the two little eggs that the humming bird laid have hatched and the mother bird faithfully perseveres in caring for her tiny babies.

Trying to live a Christ-honoring life in the world we live in today can leave us frustrated and discouraged. Many people today are facing insurmountable hardships including the loss of a job, the loss of a home and families that are in great turmoil.

Satan is alive and well in this sinful world. We can expect trouble and tribulation, especially as a believer. In times of difficulty it is easy to think that God has forgotten us. This is not the case. God never forgets us. Often when times are good it is we who tend to forget God. It is when times are tough that we most need to depend on God to help us through our difficulties.

God will empower us to keep on going even when we cannot see the resolution of our problems. In many situations God is using a seemingly insurmountable challenge in our life to produce perseverance. And as the verse says, that we have written above, perseverance will produce in us character and through character, hope.

The Apostle Paul reminds us in Galatians 6:9 not to grow “weary while doing good.” Paul then goes on to tell us that we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. We are to persevere in everything we do and put all that we are going through in His hands and trust God for the results.

In thinking of what it means to persevere consider Noah. Building the Ark was a huge task and there were no power tools in those days. Imagine yourself building a boat the length of one and a half football fields and as high as a four story building. Day after day, year after year Noah persevered in building the Ark. Certainly Noah must have grown weary.

What motivated Noah to persevere was obedience to God. Genesis 6:22 tells us, “Noah did everything just as God commanded Him.” Noah did not weary in doing good (obeying God is the good thing to do) and he reaped the harvest (success). Noah and all his family were saved from the flood.

When others around you suggest that you give up on a situation do not let them discourage you. Put everything in God’s hands then hope will whisper to you, “Try one more time.” Keep on doing what you know to be good and right. Try it and we can assure you God will not fail you.

LEARNING:

Our memory verses for this week are the sixth, seventh and eighth of the Ten Commandments found in Exodus 20:13-15.

You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal.

PRAYER:

Help me get through the trials that I may face today that have burdened me down and make me consider giving up. Give me perseverance to overcome strife and keep me faithful to You for the assurance that I have that with Christ I can have victory and that Satan cannot defeat me.



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