23 August 2023 - Endurance

Matthew 24:13-14(MSG) Staying with it - that’s what God requires. Stay with it to the end. You won’t be sorry, and you’ll be saved. All during this time, the good news - the Message of the kingdom - will be preached all over the world, a witness staked out in every country. And then the end will come.

Though endurance is not a condition for being saved, for the child of God (one who is saved) endurance is an absolute necessity for a lifetime of fruitfulness and blessing from God.

Hebrews 6:15(NLT) Then Abraham waited patiently, and he received what God had promised.

Hebrews 10:36(NLT) Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.

The Christian is called to endure in the face of trial or opposition, and his endurance brings spiritual rewards. Endurance is commended as a virtue for God’s people.

Endurance yields these results:

Salvation - James 1:12(NLT) God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

Protection - 2 Thessalonians 3:3-4(NLT) But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. And we are confident in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we commanded you.

Revelation 3:10(AMP) Because you have kept the word of My endurance , I will keep you from the hour of trial, that hour which is about to come on the whole world, to test those who live on the earth.

Spiritual fruit - James 1:4(AMP) And let endurance have its perfect result and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfect and completely developed , lacking in nothing.

Encouragement for others - 2 Corinthians 1:6(AMP) But if we are troubled and distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; or if we are comforted and encouraged, it is for your comfort, which works when you patiently endure the same sufferings which we experience.

I conclude with these words by Margaret Minnicks: “Endurance is the act of staying strong in the face of adversity. It is not giving in to an unpleasant situation or difficulty. It is bearing pain, hardships, and suffering no matter how bad it seems to be.”