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Persevering in Faith

Much like the Israelites, we all face those “desert times” that might cause us to doubt God’s promises.  There are times when you might feel that the pressures to compromise are just too great.  Maybe your concerns deal with a financial burden.  Perhaps your pain centers on the loss of someone close to you.  To some, the constant stress related to a relationship that has gone south is almost unbearable.

Caleb was one of the spies whom Moses sent to explore the Promise Land.  Upon returning, only he and Joshua reported that the Israelites should obey God and enter the Land. 

The other spies insisted that such a mission would be too dangerous.  They convinced most of their generation to side with them.  As a consequence of their disobedience, the entire generation died in the wilderness except for Caleb and Joshua.

The secret to Caleb’s faith was perseverance.  Caleb refused to go with the majority opinion when it contradicted what he knew to be God’s will.  Because of his faithfulness to the will and purpose of God, Caleb never lost his spiritual edge and focus. 

Like Caleb, we need to stand strong for God’s truth, no matter what the rest of the world is telling us.  We need to persevere in our faith and obedience knowing that most of the time, we will be swimming against the social current.

Some bible verses that speak to perseverance bear repeating.  Let’s cling to our faith and God’s word.

• “ Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12:2

• “Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons.” Hebrews 12:7

• “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Have a great week.  Please remember the Johnson Family in your prayers.  The loss of a son and husband in the past five months has produced great grief in our community. 

Jim