For most of us, perseverance is not our favourite word. And that for sure has been the case this year. It has been one long drudgery with, as yet, no end in sight.
It’s one thing to be going through a difficult time personally, it’s another one entirely to be living in an entire society going through it.
It’s an introvert’s paradise, but everyone else’s nightmare.
And yet there is a positive side. Calvin points us to it in his concept of the perseverance of the saints. What he was referring to was the confidence we have that those truly chosen by God will be enabled by God to run the race and finish it well.
So perseverance becomes a sign of the grace of God in our lives. Instead of seeing it as a never-ending series of challenges we must overcome, perseverance becomes an assurance that God will get us through.
We don’t have to persevere. We will persevere.
The world has lots of advice to offer in a crisis, but most of it boils down to an effort of the will. And that’s where it gets so discouraging, because that’s the very area most people are so depleted in.
But for the believer, the key to perseverance has got nothing to do with us. The critical ingredient is the power of the Spirit.
The grace of God is far more than a theological concept about how we get saved. The grace of God is the power of God not only to save us, but also to keep us. The same grace which rescued us out of the grasp of fear, hopelessness, anxiety and the hosts of hell is able not only to transport us into the kingdom of heaven, but also to keep us there.
Faith is born out of this kind of perseverance. Faith is neither an intellectual commodity nor an emotional feeling which we must possess in order to receive something from God. Faith is simply the heart cry of the believer for the Father to equip him or her with the kingdom power we need to fight the battle we face. We aren’t asking for possessions, material wealth or personal advancement. We are asking for what genuinely equips us to stand against the powers of darkness in boldness and courage, in order to persevere in the battle as long as it takes to win.
We need the power of God.
When Paul says the gospel is the power of God for salvation, he is referring to the power which saved us and powerfully keeps us.
Non-believers see only a dark year of perseverance, which for them means just getting through.
But the believer knows that God is doing the heavy lifting. We have the confidence to know he is still working out his plan, no matter what it looks like on the outside.
It may not always be easy, but it is never hopeless.
We are running a race, and we are going to win.
We will persevere!
CONSIDER PARTNERING WITH DAVID & ELAINE CAMPBELL IN HELPING TO SUSTAIN THEIR ACTIVE MINISTRY.
AWAKENING MINISTRIES // FOUNDATION of FAITH Project
Foundation of Faith Project is strengthening generations in faith and bringing beautiful changes to the communities around them. Through teaching, mentoring and coaching, many are finding out who they are and who they are destined to be. They are bringing more to their world. David Campbell is the key leader in this initiative and you can support him financially directly through Awakening Ministries.
When making a donation, please follow these steps:
1. Click the donate button below
2. Enter the amount you wish to donate and choose "Paypal" or "Credit Card"
3. On the next page, in the "Add a note" field, please mark the donation for "Foundation of Faith"
For those in the UK, you may also support us through Emmanuel Church Durham, which receives and passes on any financial gifts designated to us. You are welcome to contact Jenny, the church treasurer, at finance@emmanuel.org.uk, and she will be glad to let you know how you can support us on a once-off basis or by standing order.