Perseverance, a Choice That Bears Sweet Fruit

You may have heard the story of Noah, who diligently built the ark before the earth was struck by the flood (Genesis 6:9-22).

Scripture does not say with whom Noah built the ark, whether he employed his relatives or his neighbors. However, based on the description of humanity's corruption in Genesis 6:5,11-12, we may assume that the people around Noah may have laughed at him, mocked him, and even thought he was crazy. And he heard those taunts throughout the decades of building the ark. 

Even so, not once did Noah turn away from God. God's command seemed unreasonable, but Noah was not only obedient, he also persevered in carrying it out to the end. Until the ark was ready to hold him and his family, along with the animals when the flood covered the earth. Noah's extraordinary perseverance bore sweet fruit. 

What about us today, who may be almost despairing as we face problems with work, finding a spouse, finances, marriage, or the struggle against sin? Are you thinking about giving up? What do we need to remember about perseverance, and how can we have it? 

Perseverance, Unshakable Courage

Therefore continue in the faith, established and steadfast, and do not be moved away from the hope of the gospel... – Colossians 1:23a  

Perseverance is when you keep going, remain steadfast, and refuse to give up in pursuing a goal. You keep trying and are not shaken by circumstances, until you find a way out or overcome the challenge.

Perhaps you will not always succeed or always do well. There are times when you fail, both physically and spiritually. Yet do not give up. Keep pressing on even for a long time. 

To persevere, you need faith, courage, and endurance. When you feel unable to get through it alone, do not hesitate to ask for prayer support or help from fellow believers or people you can trust.

Indeed we count them blessed who persevered. – James 5:11a 

Perseverance Makes You Strong

And not only that. We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, and perseverance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. – Romans 5:3-4  

Your endurance will be trained when you go through problems, challenges, trials, life's difficulties, and suffering. When this happens, there are two choices: you persevere, or you give up. If you give up, you will become frustrated, disappointed, crushed, and even lose hope and faith. In other words, you become battered by circumstances.

Choose to keep persevering. But not merely because you expect the fruit or results instantly. What matters most here is your willingness to go through it all with readiness and persistence. Because that means you are already on the right path. 

Of course, there are times when you need to be wise and evaluate whether your difficulty is caused by the wrong approach. Perhaps your motivation is wrong, or your interest is not genuine. It may be that you are doing too many things, or need to set more realistic goals. 

Whatever obstacle you are facing right now, perseverance means you do not give up just because of one or two setbacks. Sooner or later, in ways you may never have imagined, the fruits of perseverance will yield sweet fruit.

The Key to Success

And let perseverance have its full work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing. – James 1:4 

According to Ramana Maharshi, an Indian wise man, no one can succeed without effort and hard work. Those who succeed actually owe it to their own perseverance.

A persevering person will endure in any situation, even through many ups and downs. If we plant a tree seedling, we do not expect it to grow big overnight, do we? We care for it carefully, give it fertilizer and enough water, until the seedling sprouts, grows into a tree, and bears fruit that we can enjoy.

Michael Jordan said, "I have failed again and again and again in life, and that is why I succeed." For him, champions do not become champions because they win the race, but because of the many hours, weeks, months, and years they spend practicing.

Hold on to the end, because perseverance will reap success!

Let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not lose heart. – Galatians 6:9 

Bringing Salvation

But the one who endures to the end will be saved. – Matthew 24:13 

We also need perseverance in living the spiritual life. God wants you and me to endure. To persevere. To the very end. The devil will not stay silent. He will do whatever he can so that we give up and lose the salvation we have in God. 

What makes you want to give up? Difficulties at work / in business? The search for a life partner? Poor finances? Dreams that seem impossible? A marriage on the brink of collapse? Prolonged depression? Family problems? Or, the struggle against sin? 

Keep persevering in keeping your focus on God, even if there are many sacrifices you must make. Keep relying on Him, and remember the joy you will receive in His love.

His master said to him: Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master. – Matthew 25:21 

Imagine that one day, you meet Jesus, and He says, "Well done, good and faithful servant!" Yes, Jesus is waiting for us to enter into joy with Him in heaven! Let us keep persevering!

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