Week 12
Hebrews 10:36 (J.B. Phillips paraphrase) “Patient endurance is what you need if, after doing God’s will, you are to receive what is promised.”
Oftentimes victory is defined by getting up when one is knocked down. Oftentimes success is defined by taking another step when one feels like giving up.
Patience requires endurance, and endurance requires patience – one implies and necessitates the other. There is nothing that demands patient endurance like doing the will of God. Doing the will of God will drain us of energy, strength, and sometimes even hope. There is no greater battle in this life than the battle of doing the will of God. Because in serving the Lord and doing His will, we hold up a bright candle of truth and goodness to drive out the darkness of ignorance and despair. Satan hates the light of truth and grace, and he hates any and all who proclaim the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Let us be mindful of the fact that many times defeat in the Lord’s battles simply looks like a soldier putting down his weapon and walking off the field of conflict…and the devil smiles. Defeat on the terrain of holy struggle does not require a moral crash or a doctrinal blow out. All that is needed is for God’s people to simply lay down their weapons and say, “I’ve had enough”, and walk away.
But the Bible in our text today reminds us of an important truth: if we are to receive what is promised by God to those who follow and serve Him, then what we need is PATIENT ENDURANCE IN THE DOING OF GOD’S WILL. Patient endurance stays under the load. Patient endurance keeps walking even when weariness and sadness set in. Patient endurance hears the holy upper call of Christ Jesus and pursues that glad promise that God gives to all who love Christ and His kingdom.
Let us not walk away from our calling and our stewardship. We must give ourselves and our all in this day of battle. The victory is the Lord’s, and we are dependent upon Him for our strength, courage, and fortitude. We can do what He calls us to do; we MUST do what He commands us to do. Let us stay in that place where He put us and let us give all that we have for His glory and honor. His assurance, His peace, His power, and His love will feed our steadfastness, and we will plow on for Christ and His kingdom.
Christian friend, do not give up. The day of victory is at hand. The promises are worth the perseverance that obedience requires. Soon, we will be in Immanuel’s land of eternal joy. Press on!
Prayer: Dear Lord, keep me from letting up, letting go, and letting down. Please help me to stay by your calling until you release me from it, or you release me from this earthly sojourn. Help me to be faithful and endure well. Amen.