And you will be hated by all for
My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. Mathew 10:21-22
When we hear the word ‘endurance’ we generally get
the idea of a race in which someone had to keep going through difficult
obstacles. What we probably do not think of is that endurance is not only a
verb, but it is a noun. It is the fact or power of enduring an unpleasant or difficult
process or situation without giving way.
Endurance often requires suffering through
difficult times or a process of healing. In Jesus’ case; He endured the cross
compiled with our sin to bring us to salvation.
Enduring can be a good thing, not just a thing
to get through but there is usually a prize at the end. Whether it be a trophy
or some other reward endurance can only come with strength and resolve.
Paul, Peter, even Joseph had to endure hardship because of their belief in God’s promises and the proclamation of such beliefs. These were not just mere obstacle courses but through the course of courts, and prisons they endured the hardships and pain, some even unto death, for the sake of the truth. They were able to endure because for the love they had towards God and what they believed was God's promise and love towards them.
His love is enduring as are His promises true.
Love
suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is
not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek it’s own, is not provoked,
thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears
all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love
never fails.
But
whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they
will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in
part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come then
that which is in part will be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a
child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man I
put away childish things. For we now see in a mirror dimly but then face to
face. Now I know in part, but the I shall know just as I am known. And now
abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 12:4-13
God
does not promise us that things will always go smoothly, but He does say that
he will not leave us nor forsake us. So even in the midst of our trials we can
call out to Jesus and know He will keep us strong. Strong in the Spirit of God if not
physically.
Here
is my example; I rise up in the morning after three weeks of running around
doing prep work and three events, feeling weak in body due to an injured foot.
I grab for something to stabilize myself before walking across the room. Had I
not reached for a stabilizer I would have fallen. God is our stabilizer; we
know He is there to reach for to keep us from falling when we become weak.
Whether it is spiritual or physical we all get weak from time to time; whether
it is from too much work or not enough digging in to the prep work in His Word
we need His touch to be strong again.
So
what do you grab hold of to get strong in the spirit? I grab the Word of God and seek to find
scriptures in the search engine or concordance. Whatever I am weak in the Bible
has a battle scripture there to strengthen you in your walk with Christ.
There
are tons of books written with them listed. They are called “Promise Books” and
you can find them all over the place!
When I
am weak then He is strong in me.
But he said to me, “My
grace is enough for you. When you are weak, my power is made perfect in you.” So
I am very happy to brag about my weaknesses. Then Christ’s power can live in
me. For this reason I am happy when I have weaknesses, insults, hard times,
sufferings, and all kinds of troubles for Christ. Because when I am weak, then
I am truly strong. 2 Corithians 12:9-10
We
also can gain strength in prayer, but I like to get in the Word before I pray
sometimes to give me fuel to pray with!
Dear
Heavenly Father, Thank you for giving us strength when we are weak and thank
you for the power of Your Word. Help us to glean from it and grow strong in
Your Spirit as we do. Help us to endure to the end that we may be saved. In
Jesus name, amen