05/24/2020
If a man seeks Jesus Christ as a means of escaping the hardship and suffering of the world then he will be sorely disappointed when at last he meets Him, because no man ever suffered as Christ did. Are we ready to continue on in faith and to seek righteousness even though we know that tribulation awaits us? Can we face life’s suffering and rejoice in it, or will we complain, mourn, and eventually, lay down our cross as we yield to our own personal comfort? A Christian’s love for Jesus exceeds his desire for selfish pleasure, and his love and desire for eternity with God endures the lessons, and responsibilities, of the cross.
“Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”
Matthew 16:24-25 ESV
Many of the most valuable lessons I have learned in life have come from hardship. This is true in my physical life, and it is especially true in my spiritual life. To prove my point let me ask you a single question... “Can you truly learn perseverance if you have never faced hardship?” Before you answer, give this some deep thought, and listen to the Apostle James...
“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”
James 1:12 ESV
Perseverance, as defined in “Oxford Languages”, means to persist in doing something despite difficulty or delay. This word is rooted in the Latin word “persaverantia” which means to strictly abide by something. Is this a lesson you have learned as you have travelled the world, and even greater yet, is this a lesson you have spiritually mastered in your faith... in carrying your cross?
God values endurance, which is the ability to withstand hardship, and goes hand in hand with perseverance. You can’t continue doing those things that are difficult, or to withstand delay without ultimately having the ability to endure, and He rewards us for faithfully enduring, and persevering, in doing His will.
“For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. For, “Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay; but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.””
Hebrews 10:36-38 ESV
The spiritual lesson of endurance and perseverance is taught by Jesus, and not by living an easy life, but through suffering in faith, and doing the will of God in spite of the hardships it might require us to face. We receive peace through our faith, and God’s Grace, but we learn perseverance by suffering.
“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”
Romans 5:1-5 ESV
So, have we already learned to endure as we have done the will of God? Have we suffered, endured, and truly demonstrated perseverance? If not, then are we willing to carry on in faith, pick up our cross knowing full well what that means, and say “teach me Lord.” Are we ready to endure the lesson, and follow Jesus? Is God’s pleasure enough to fuel our faith? Is our faith thus strong enough to endure the suffering ahead, and allow us to persevere in our Love and service to God? What say you?
“if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself.”
2 Timothy 2:12-13 ESV
Prayer:
Father, we thank you for the joyous times of ease, and plenty, but we also thank you for teaching us to continue on in your will despite hardships and suffering. We praise you in both Lord, but value greatly the endurance and perseverance we are taught while traveling the steep and rocky roads of the world. Though our feet might be pierced, bloody, and blistered, even with our backs torn by life’s whip, and our hands pierced through by our enemies, we continue on, and seek to remain within your will, to bring you glory, and to receive the blessing of your pleasure in us. Lead us Lord Jesus, as we learn from the example of your life, the perseverance you demonstrated, and the cross you endured. Give us understanding Holy Spirit as we travel this hard way, and seek to do God’s will for us in its entirety. Holy, Holy, Holy are you our God whose will is perfect, and for which we endure great hardship and suffering that our perseverance in it would bring you glory. Praised be your name Father for the strength you provide us, and the mercy you shower upon us. Amazing is your grace, for we are unworthy without the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and the grace that flows through Him. We thank you for the cross Jesus endured, and we pray that you will be pleased with us as we strive to endure the trials of the world, carry our own cross throughout life, and persevere in our faith forevermore.
Rich Forbes