Oswald Chambers wrote on persevering in such a profound and challenging way. Take a moment to read his devoted words and meditate on their wisdom:
[1]Perseverance means more than endurance— more than simply holding on until the end. 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, but our Lord continues to stretch and strain, and every once in a while the saint says, “I can’t take any more.” Yet God pays no attention; He goes on stretching until His purpose is in sight, and then He lets the arrow fly. Entrust yourself to God’s hands. Is there something in your life for which you need perseverance right now? Maintain your intimate relationship with Jesus Christ through the perseverance of faith. Proclaim as Job did, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him” (Job 13:15).
Faith is not some weak and pitiful emotion, but is strong and vigorous confidence built on the fact that God is holy love. And even though you cannot see Him right now and cannot understand what He is doing, you know Him. Disaster occurs in your life when you lack the mental composure that comes from establishing yourself on the eternal truth that God is holy love. Faith is the supreme effort of your life— throwing yourself with abandon and total confidence upon God.
God ventured His all in Jesus Christ to save us, and now He wants us to venture our all with total abandoned confidence in Him. There are areas in our lives where that faith has not worked in us as yet— places still untouched by the life of God. There were none of those places in Jesus Christ’s life, and there are to be none in ours. Jesus prayed, “This is eternal life, that they may know You…” (John 17:3). The real meaning of eternal life is a life that can face anything it has to face without wavering. If we will take this view, life will become one great romance— a glorious opportunity of seeing wonderful things all the time. God is disciplining us to get us into this central place of power.
Jesus promised you an abundant life (John 10:10) and He persevered through ridicule, trials, humiliation, torture, a painful death on the cross and resurrection so that we may stand victorious with Him. He is all too familiar with what it takes to persevere, He is the master of perseverance. Oswald Chambers encourages you to entrust yourself to God’s hands, but how much more encouraging to know that Jesus first spoke this over you, with a promise that no one will ever be able to snatch you from His hand.
John 10:27-30 NIV)
27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”
Are you listening to Jesus? While persevering, you will be able to hear His voice guiding you, comforting you, and giving you strength to continue. Yet another great promise! So, ask yourself, Is there something in my life right now, for which I need perseverance? Lay it at the feet of Jesus, look up, take His hand, don’t look back, and don’t ever return to pick it back up. Trust Him, press in towards Him. Allow Him to delight in you.
Prayer
Jesus,
I entrust myself in your hands. I entrust every area in my life to You, so that faith may work Your purpose and will for me. Guide me, comfort me, and strengthen me through my trials and troubles. I hold on to your promise of abundant life. I hold on to the promise that I can and will hear your voice through every aspect of my life. AMEN!
Your servant in Christ,
Pastor Nathan
