Perseverance, by Mom

My Mom wrote on perseverance in her journal.  Sometimes I think this is the greatest character trait the Lord has given to me, because no matter how often I fail, no matter how hard things seem at the time, I always manage to get back on the path and keep putting one foot in front of the other.  This morning my body feels like it's been run over by the proverbial truck.  Long hours at the post office at Christmas time will do that to a person!  I'm trying to pay off some bills so I know the Lord is providing in the form of overtime, but this older gal is weary!  LOL  So it's really fitting (a God visit maybe!?!) that the next entry in Mom's little book is on perseverance.  Here's what she wrote.

Perseverance.  The steadfast effort to follow God's commands and to do His work. 

The New Testament makes it very clear that faith alone can save, but it makes it equally clear that perseverance in doing good works is the greatest indication that an individual's faith is genuine. 

James 2:14-26   What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? 15 Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, 16 and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?  17 So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.  18 Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.”  19 You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. 20 How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless?  21 Don’t you remember that our ancestor Abraham was shown to be right with God by his actions when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see, his faith and his actions worked together. His actions made his faith complete. 23 And so it happened just as the Scriptures say: “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” He was even called the friend of God.  24 So you see, we are shown to be right with God by what we do, not by faith alone.   25 Rahab the prostitute is another example. She was shown to be right with God by her actions when she hid those messengers and sent them safely away by a different road. 26 Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works.

Through persevering in God's work, Christians prove their deep appreciation for God's saving grace. 

1 Corinthians 15:57-58  57 But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.  58 So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.

As a result of perseverance the Christian can expect not only to enhance the strength of the Church but also build up strength of character. 

Romans 5:3-4  3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.

We learn we can persevere primarily because God is intimately related to us. 

Romans 8:25-27  25 But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.) 26 And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. 27 And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will.

From me.

Perseverance is a necessity in the Christian walk.  Jesus told us in John 16:33  "I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”    He warned we would need to press on, but also encourages us that victory is already a done deal. 

Galatians 6:9   So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.  Never give up.

Seems like Tuesday's entry goes right along with this theme...not giving up on ourselves, or on God.  whether it's changing our hearts, or changing our lives, building a dream or tearing down strongholds.  Philippians 1:6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.  God is the ultimate example of perseverance.

Perseverance is fueled by hope.  And our hope is in the One who never lets us down. 

Lord, thank You for the gift of perseverance. Build this character in each of us.  Keep us walking forward, even if the path is dark and stony.  Our hope is in You!  Strengthen You children to keep believing, keep doing good and keep step with Your leading.  In Jesus Name, amen.

What area of you life do you need to persevere in?  What can you do to strengthen your resolve when it is fading?