Perseverance: September 11, 2014

TODAYS WORD FOR THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 11, 2014.

PERSEVERANCE

DEFINITION:

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

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. Recently we had a humming bird build a nest in a bush in front of our house. We have watched as the two little eggs 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. As believers in Jesus we need to learn how to persevere in doing the things that God wants us to do. 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. But God does not want us to give up. He wants us to persevere.

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 not to give up. We are to persevere in everything we do and put all that we are going through in His hands and He will get us through every situation. Paul knew from experience that if we persevere and we do not give up, in due time we will reap a harvest of blessing.

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.” Try it and we can assure you God will not fail you.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Romans 6:23:

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.

PRAYER:

Help me get through the trials that I may face today that may burden me down and tempt me to 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.