Tag Archives: perseverance

June 7
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“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33, NIV)

The disciple of Jesus should fear only one thing: The displeasure of his or her heavenly Father. 

Our world is a marketplace of fear and trouble.  If we forget for even a moment that God is bigger than any trouble or peril we shall ever face in our lifetime, we will lose heart.

Jesus has plainly told us that we will face trouble in this world, so any trouble we encounter should not come as a surprise. However, He has also told us that we should not fear or lose heart: “I have overcome the world.”

Face each day with this confidence!  – Luther

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April 9
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“This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘I will punish the Amalekites for what they did to Israel when they waylaid them as they came up from Egypt.” (I Samuel 15:2, NIV)

There are times in life when others deal unfairly — or even ruthlessly — with us, as the Amalekites did with the Children of Israel during their time in the wilderness.

There is no denying the pain of a betrayal, or the expense of the remedies; but as a disciple of Jesus, we must remain focused on the task(s) God has set before us. 

The Lord God did not forget the offenses of the Amalekites. At a time of the Lord’s choosing, he addressed the offenses of Israel’s enemies.  He will do the same for us if — repeat — if we will forego vengeance, keeping scores, and bearing grudges against those who have wounded us.

Our heavenly Father has these things “for action.”  Our assigned task is to remain utterly faithful to do all that He has set before us.  – Luther

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December 4
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“As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.” (James 5:11, NIV)

Suffering is the “tax” that all of God’s creatures pay for the corruption of Creation. In a perfect world, suffering would not exist. Yet, our world — though wonderful and good in so many respects — is not perfect.

Suffering is difficult, inconvenient, confounding, and often expensive in time and treasure. If you do not think suffering to be a blessing — you are correct to think so! It is perseverance through suffering that we admire. It is fidelity through adversity that we cheer.

The blessing in perseverance is not the “finish line,” but the course (whether it be an obstacle course, a race course, or a course of study).

Perseverance not only reveals the nature of our character, and improves it; it reveals God’s character for what it has always been: Full of compassion and mercy.  – Luther 

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