Perseverance is a High Calling Page 88

Perseverance is a high calling for all of us!  Why do I know this?  Well, as a typical human it seems to be a fundamental need in my daily life-so that is one way!  As a Christian I know that it is taught about in several places in the Bible-that is another. However, this morning I came across a scripture that I had not noticed before.  In Revelations, no less!  It says:

“Because you have kept the word of My endurance 
(My command to persevere),

I will keep you (safe)

from the hour of trial, 

that hour which is about to come on the whole (inhabited) world,

to test those who live on the earth.”

Revelations 3:10 AMP

Per this prophetic scripture, perseverance is a command that actually plays a pivotal role in what happens to us in our hour of trial.  And here I was thinking that it was just something I had to do to put up with the aggravations in my life - or was just some form of personal mental power I had to call upon to deal with difficult people or circumstances!  Seems that I’ve approached the act of perseverance without the reverence it deserves.    

God repeatedly places topics in my life to get my attention and to teach me something.  So, it’s not ironic that my preacher recently taught on perseverance.  He shared some in-depth notes regarding what perseverance actually is:  

Perseverance is:

• ·     Spiritual staying power that will die before giving in.  It is a virtue that endures with a vibrant hope.
• ·     An unflinching bearing up that does not allow for surrendering in circumstances.
•       The ability to rise up, conquer and win; An attitude of a soldier in the heat of battle that  fights on stoutly.
• ·      An active motion that always has a forward look to it. 
•       Derived from the Greek word Hupomone- meaning to be under and stay under.  In Scripture it speaks of a believer who remains under the difficult circumstances or trials of life in a God-honoring way. 
•       The ability to faithfully deal triumphantly with anything that life throws at you.

This virtuous calling bravely asks that we deal triumphantly with the challenges in our lives that demand perseverance!  I was repeatedly and begrudgingly using this tool as a last resort; frustrated that I kept needing to power through my circumstances; wishing that life would ease up! But, with these definitions I’ve been set free!  It’s as if I am no longer a cursed Prisoner-of-War but a Mighty Warrior called to rise up on The Battlefield of Life! 

Perseverance is not a long-suffering death sentence but a character-defining act of God!  Perseverance is a crucial weapon of a warrior; a required mental power that brings about victory; an enduring, unflinching inner power that comes from something beyond normal human courage; for truly it is a God-thing; a high calling that brings honor to the very one who gave us the command to persevere! 

“…. we know that suffering produces perseverance;

Perseverance, character; and character, hope.

And hope does not disappoint us 

because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts

 through the Holy Spirit.” 

Romans 5: 3-6

Please note all the definitive words that follow the word perseverance!

Perseverance must finish its work

so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

James 1:4

Please note that perseverance yields complete maturity! 

Perseverance is more than a High calling- it is the refining work of the Lord!

Song Recommendation:

Deliverance

BY:  Gateway

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwH3fA3D690