The Gift of Perseverance
Perseverance is predictable. (Luke 2:4-5,NIV)
You will experience God’s promises and provisions. You get to experience a quality of life that others won’t. (James 1:12, NIV; Galatians 6:9, NIV; Hebrews 10:36,NIV) You will have answered prayers. (Matthew 7:7-8,NIV) You will have strength in weakness. (Isaiah 40:31, NIV)
Perseverance is painful.
Faith does not exempt us from pain; it refines it. Faith does not eliminate fear; it empowers us to face it. Faith does not remove the fire; it purifies us in it. Faith does not take away the mountain; it quips us to climb it. Faith does not avoid the battle; it guarantees the victory. Faith does not silence the questions; it anchors us in the answers. Faith does not bypass the pain; it transforms it into purpose.
Perseverance is purposeful.
Because of Mary and Joseph’s perseverance, they became part of the greatest purpose ever imagined, the birth of Jesus Christ. (Luke 2:4-7,NIV) Their journey fulfilled the prophecy. (Micah 5:2)
Perseverance is powerful.
It’s powerful because of God’s promises. (Luke 1:30-33,NIV; Matthew 1:20-21,NIV) If you focus on obeying God’s promises in your life, He will give you power and purpose. (Isaiah 40:29-31,NIV)
