Steadfastness

Hello everyone,

How are you doing on this day? I hope well and bubbling in the Lord. I find in Scripture that sometimes God has a different way He wants us to look at challenges and trials and difficulties. James 1v2-4 (Amplified Version) for example says “Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations. Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience. But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing.” The Living Bible says “Dear brothers, is your life full of difficulties and temptations? Then be happy, for when the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow. So let it grow, and don’t try to squirm out of your problems. For when your patience is finally in full bloom, then you will be ready for anything, strong in character, full and complete.”

According to this text, one of the core things that trials produce is patience (endurance, steadfastness), and God says let them be produced. Romans 5v2-4 (Amplified Version) says “Moreover [let us also be full of joy now!] let us exult and triumph in our troubles and rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance. And endurance (fortitude) develops maturity of character (approved faith and tried integrity). And character [of this sort] produces [the habit of] joyful and confident hope of eternal salvation. Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shames us, for God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us.”

One reason why patience and endurance and steadfastness are necessary is that they help to achieve the promises of God. Hebrews 6v12 (King James Version) says “That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” Hebrews 10v35-36 (Amplified Version) says “Do not, therefore, fling away your fearless confidence, for it carries a great and glorious compensation of reward. For you have need of steadfast patience and endurance, so that you may perform and fully accomplish the will of God, and thus receive and carry away [and enjoy to the full] what is promised.” Child of God, are you going through certain trials and difficulties. Look deeper as to what it is producing within you, and give God the praise for it.

Prayer

Father, we thank You so much for Your Word. We thank You for the trying of our faith that worketh patience. Lord, help us to let patience do the work that needs to be done in our lives. Help us to see Your hand at work in various situations. Ultimately, let Your name be glorified in and through us in Jesus name, amen.