05/08/2025
Are we able to hold the spiritual ground we have won? Do we have the patience to wait as God prepares us to be used by Him to complete His will? Do we exhibit the endurance of Sardis by keeping God's commandments and Word? In Revelation, Jesus tells John to write these words to the church at Sardis...
“Because you [Church at Sardis] have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth. I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.”
Revelation 3:10-11 ESV
So, can we hold our ground against time and sin with patience? As God completes His work in us and prepares us for use in achieving His will, we must become like Job. Pastor Oswald Chambers wrote of patience, endurance, and our being used by God in these words...
"Patience is more than endurance. A saint's life is in the hands of God like a bow and arrow in the hands of an archer.
God is aiming at something the saint cannot see, and He stretches and strains, and every now and again the saint says- "I cannot stand anymore." God does not heed, He goes on stretching till His purpose is in sight, then He lets fly. Trust yourself in God's hands." - Oswald Chambers
In this example that Chambers uses, God has no intention to break the bow. We are never asked to endure more than we can stand, and no one has understood this better than Job. But, it was something that Job had to learn as he held tight to his faith; listen as he expresses his hopelessness while facing his trials…
“[I do it because, though He slay me, yet will I wait for and trust Him and] behold, He will slay me; I have no hope–nevertheless, I will maintain and argue my ways before Him and even to His face. This will be my salvation, that a polluted and godless man shall not come before Him.”
Job 13:15-16 AMPC
As Job’s instruction was perfected, his faith remained firm; he felt certain that he would die, but he also knew that he was not a polluted and godless man. He trusted that he would have an audience with God. Are we equally convinced that we will stand before God in judgement and argue our case? Well, unlike Job, we should know that Jesus will stand with us and that it is His blood that washes us clean... that removes the pollution, and in Him we are far from godless.
“that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.”
2 Corinthians 5:19 ESV
We are meant to endure in our faith in Christ. Endure in faith against all sin. Endure in faith against evil. Endure in faith in our love for God. Endure in faith by trusting Him. Endure in all matters of faith with patience, and if we endure in these ways then, like the church at Sardis, we will be spared the hour of trial in the final day. God sees and honors the long suffering of those who seek Him without turning.
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.”
James 4:10 ESV
I was thrilled by the previous description of eternal life as described by Oswald Chambers so let's further seal our thoughts this morning by reading this final quote...
"The real meaning of eternal life is a life that can face anything it has to face without wavering. If we take this view, life becomes one great romance, a glorious opportunity for seeing marvelous things all the time. God is disciplining us to get us into this central place of power." - Oswald Chambers
Can we each endure in faith as we are perfected in Christ? How longsuffering is our endurance, and our patience?
Prayer:
Father, thank you for preparing me to serve you, and to join you in eternity. Thank you Lord for the removal of every behavior and nuance of my life that displeases you. Most of all, I thank you for your Son Jesus Christ whose sacrifice polishes me as I patiently wait to come before you. I pray Abba that His face will brilliantly be reflected from where mine once was, and that his sinless life will cloak my inadequate one. Holy Father, give me the patience to wait on your judgement, and the endurance I need to live my life for you. Let my face turn neither to the right nor to the left as I walk your way. Let me seek you from beneath the arm of Jesus, and rest at night comforted by your Holy Spirit... certain in my righteous journey... trusting in the knowledge that you are with me always. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God whose grace abounds, and who’s mercy washes me clean with the blood of Jesus. Holy are you who desires that none should perish, but that all should come to repentance, and thus be saved.
Amen!
“But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”
2 Peter 3:8-9 ESV
Rich Forbes