Endurance (1)
2020-07-18Hebrews 12:2 NIV
James writes, ‘Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown’ (James 1:12 NIV). God calls the people who persevere ‘blessed’, but how often do we think about giving up rather than persevering? But if we give up on our relationships, our career, or our dreams, we might end up regretting it for the rest of our lives. When we choose to persevere, God can strengthen us and help us be victorious. Giving up doesn’t build character, endurance does. It develops something in us that nothing else can. We’re told that ‘suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope’ (Romans 5:3-4 ESV). Nobody knew more about endurance than Jesus. The Bible tells us that ‘He endured the cross.’ Not only did He endure the torture and crucifixion, He also endured the mocking voices of others, betrayal and abandonment from His friends, and God turning His face away from Him. When we feel like we want to give up, we need to follow Jesus’ example. In Hebrews 12, it says: ‘So let us run the race that is before us and never give up…Let us look only to Jesus, the One who began our faith and who makes it perfect…So do not get tired and stop trying’ (vv.1-3 NCV). God has blessings in store for us, promises waiting to be fulfilled, and things which will bring us joy. We can look forward to eternal life where we see God face to face. Right now things might be tough, but we have to try and see beyond our current circumstances. We need to fix our eyes on Jesus and keep going.