We journey through life and discover so much about ourselves, don’t we? In our elated seasons, possibilities flourish. We don’t entertain cares. We don’t collect the trappings brought on by angst and fatigue. We welcome this season like a much-needed respite. But not everyone enjoys such bliss. We know friends and even loved ones who live in what appears as a season of endless hardships.
God’s word covers obstacles to perseverance in ways we might find difficult to navigate. How is that possible? Well, let’s address a couple of them here.
Buckling under the weight of trials: My friend once trained as a bodybuilder. I knew her situation, though at first glance, most back then scoffed at her insistence. Her rigorous training had nothing to do with vanity, but a matter of life or death. She developed a mysterious ailment that left her joints painfully stiff. For years she went undiagnosed because physicians had no clear explanation. She struggled with “guinea pig syndrome” until the phenomena was discovered, but during the years of baffling unknowns, she eventually found hope in God and in His word.
Yes, devastating blows tend to buckle the best of us. You need not go far into the book of Job to feel his pain and wonder, “how long, oh Lord?” And yet for Job, my friend and anyone else buckling under persevering weight, God absorbs the pain and promises something in return: a crown of life.
“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)
Avoiding worldly trappings in pursuit of Godly intents: This call to persevere acts as an alert to any and everyone desiring a countercultural existence. First, a 3-fold campaign remains intact throughout each generation. Though the campaign changes to suit the trends and movements of the day, it never deviates from its blueprint: kill, steal and destroy (John 10:10). Next, in each cultural exchange you’ll encounter scoffers. They will ridicule your right to stand up for biblical truth. They will even find your moral and just stance offensive and intolerant. Finally, you will encounter godless people who find comfort in an “us” versus “them” equation: God does not add up in this relative world order, therefore, He must be stricken from it.
Even back then, the Book of Jude knew what to expect and how to prepare us for today. These signs of the last days encourage us to persevere in this worldly campaign. In fact, Jude 1:20-23 instructs us with these Godly intentions:
“But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.”
Perseverance isn’t a one-sided coin: when trying to cash out on its benefits, it reveals no value. It’s true we all can grow weary at times from personal attacks or even corporate affronts, but the greater value in perseverance is in not giving up (Galatians 6:9), not losing sight of the ground on which you stand (psalm 71:3) and not allowing our hearts and minds to hyper-focus on what may appear dire (Proverbs 3:5-6). Despite what obstacles that lie before us, persevere. God will never leave nor forsake His own.
