Tag Archives: perseverance

February 1
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“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.”  (Romans 5:3, NLT)

The only way to become a successful long-distance runner is to put in the miles over a period of time.  Anything less, and the runner fails because he or she lacks endurance.

God is building into us endurance (perseverance) through various problems and trials as a track coach might send his runners over rough, hilly, trails; and through spongy meadows, knowing that in order to overcome, a runner must first endure.

God is fitting each one of us for His purposes.  Trials and problems come into our life only with God’s permission.  He permits them only to the extent that they are necessary to run the course we cannot yet see — or to run beside the individual we have not yet met.

When we recall that it is God’s plan, we can rejoice.  – Luther

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November 17
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“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”  (James 1:12, NIV)

The disciple of Jesus receives a test as a good thing.

Although times of examination are seldom pleasant, the outcome of testing reveals the nature of the stuff we’re made.  Only the person who has persevered under trial knows — really knows — the stuff of which he or she is made.  Without testing, we’re just guessing.

To “pass” a test of our spiritual selves requires only perseverance.  We need not persevere perfectly, but we do need to persevere faithfully.

The strength to persevere comes when we keep ours eyes fixed on Christ under even the most difficult of circumstances.  Doing so assures capital “L” Life for us.  We apprehend it in no other way.  – Luther

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November 10
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“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful.  Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”  (Hebrews 12:11, NIV)

No pain, no gain.

The book of Hebrews concludes its encouragement to godly discipline by reminding the reader that the practice of discipline — though inconvenient and painful in the moment — produces peace and righteousness in those who persevere in it.

God’s recipe for peace and righteousness confounds “conventional wisdom,” which continuously seeks the short-cut or an “edge.”

The question for you and me is whether we will believe God and submit to His discipline in order to apprehend the peace we desire; or will we spend our limited time on this earth trying to prove Him wrong by seeking peace through other means.  – Luther

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