The Absolute necessity for perseverance

Adams Samuel mentioned a crucial statement when he said “The necessity of the times, more than ever, calls for our utmost circumspection, deliberation, fortitude, and perseverance.” Without cultivating these character traits no one will be found standing and it is at the root of one of these words that I am compelled to write this short article on “Perseverance”. Let’s simply first look at what Perseverance means.

Definition - ''the ability to continue a course of action in spite of difficulty or opposition''

Apostle Paul was not a stranger to opposition in his ministry and because of this his perseverance became a hallmark character trait resounding through time. He gives a secret to his resilience in the famous words he penned down in Philippians 3:13-14 where he says “Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

The success of Paul’s enduring perseverance can easily be seen in his willingness to keep his eyes on Jesus and his hope in the grace of God found in the gospel of Christ. In the trials and tribulations we face our perseverance should be likewise anchored in Christ if we are to find victory in this walk.

An enduring perseverance like Paul’s doesn’t happen accidentally and it doesn’t happen overnight and it doesn’t happen by sitting on the side-lines. An enduring perseverance comes by trials, by faithfulness and by holding strong. It is in this that James wrote saying “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4

One of the things all Olympians have is the quality of perseverance or else they would not even be in the Olympics - the perseverance of training, the perseverance of discipline, the perseverance of practice. And if you are going to be what God wants you to be in your personal, spiritual walk with Him, it is going to take that quality of perseverance.

We see this with Jesus he persevered in order to complete his assignment here on earth, the bible records one interesting point about Jesus; that his agony made him pray more earnestly. His agony was not enough to stop him from persevering and pressing deep into God. Our agonies and trials were not designed to make us run from Jesus it is a bait that is meant to draw us into a deeper push in him. Let every challenge lead you into deeper intimacy, fellowship and communion with the Lord. Hold God and when seasons of agony come HOLD HIM TIGHTER.

The help you seek is in God the strength you need to persevere is in God, If it can’t be sourced in God, then it can’t be sourced anywhere - stay the course.

Shalom: Kay King