Tag: perseverance

Hebrews 12:3-17

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year CLeave a comment
            “So keep your mind on Jesus, who put up with many insults from sinners.  Then you won’t get discouraged and give up.”  The Hebrew Christians were in danger of losing their resolve and reneging on their commitment to Christ.  Their circumstances had been so adverse for so long that they just did not have any more fight in them to keep going.  They needed perseverance.
 
            The path to perseverance is through keeping our minds on Jesus.  Sometimes we might forget that Jesus did not have it easy on this earth.  He faced ridicule, insults, hardship, and was not born with a silver spoon in his mouth.  If that was the path for our Lord, then it is silly to think that, as Christ’s followers, we should avoid suffering and hardship. 
 
            Giving up happens when our minds are off Jesus.  Today we would say, “Get your head in the game!”  Regular Bible reading and persistence in prayer to God are not just nice ideas if we have time for them.  If we are going to maintain a commitment to Christianity, then these become must disciplines in our lives over all other disciplines we do on a daily basis.  Feelings of giving-up ought to clue us to the reality that it is time to retreat with God. 
 

 

            Jesus, you are the Suffering Servant who has gone before us and secured deliverance from sin, death, and hell.  In the scope of eternity, it is a small thing for me to live for you and face any kind of ridicule it might bring to me.  I only ask to be in solidarity with you in all things.  Amen.

Colossians 4:2-6

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year CLeave a comment
            “Never give up praying,” said Paul to the church at Colossae.  Keep in mind that the Colossians had fallen into the wrongheaded thinking that Christianity could be reduced to a formula.  Do the right things.  Say the right things.  Keep away from the list of the terrible ten or the nasty nine, or whatever checklist you are using to live by your form of “Christianity.”  Ditch it.  Instead, persevere in prayer without knowing the outcome.  Pray relying on God and the mystery of Christ.  Pray with uncertainty instead of continually believing you need sure answers to everything for everyone.
 
            God is not some algebra equation to figure out.  He is not a gumball machine to put a quarter in and get exactly what you want.  He is not Santa God.  Christianity requires living in the tension of not knowing everything and yet having cogent answers for others who inquire about our faith.  It is a dynamic relationship in which we must continually and constantly interact in prayer to God as we largely improvise our lives, spontaneously applying what understanding we have for each situation we face.
 
            “Never give up praying” was Paul exhorting the church to keep up a vigilant and ongoing dialogue with the God who answers in his own good time, according to his own good will.  We are to make good use of the time God gives us, being gracious and pleasant around unbelievers, choosing our words carefully as we carry on a silent prayer conversation with God in the midst of our human conversations.  This is Christianity above rules and laws and checklists.  It is Christianity as it is meant to be lived, depending on Jesus and the Spirit.
 

 

            Mysterious God, forgive me for any attempts at reducing faith to a few spiritual rules to keep.  Help me to speak in ways which are gracious, loving, and redemptive.  May the person and work of Jesus come tumbling out of my mouth out of the overflow of my heart.  Amen.

Hebrews 10:32-39

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment
            The Bible gives us the straight scoop on life.  Throughout Holy Scripture we get the highs and lows, the sufferings and the glories, the grace and the judgment.  The Christian life is not some nice neat upward trajectory that we enjoy until we reach heaven.  Rather, it is more like a zig-zag, herky-jerky, up and down experience of times of strength and encouragement, and seasons of weakness and despondency.
 
            In this life we will have trouble.  Since we follow a Lord who himself was ridiculed, suffered, and killed, we cannot expect a peachy existence filled with lovely unicorns and puppies that don’t poop.  It is one thing to face hardship; it is quite another thing to face it day after day, month after month, maybe even year after year without any reprieve.  What then?  Few people sign up for constant adversity.
 
            The Hebrew Christians had started their Christian lives well, coming at it with gusto and strength, and a willingness to experience solidarity with their Lord Jesus.  But, as time wore on, they became tired and defeated.  So, the author of the book of Hebrews lets them know that the two indispensable elements of the Christian life are faith and perseverance.  Without trust and endurance the Christian life cannot be sustained.  Don’t throw in the towel because there will eventually be a great reward.
 
            Sometimes when facing trouble Christians shrink back and withdraw from others, not letting fellow brothers and sisters into what is really going on.  The ministry that used to happen fades away.  But being vulnerable and allowing others to help; focusing on service to those who need it; and, letting go of the stuff we think is so important; these are all ways that keep us on a steadfast path of love and good deeds without losing our confidence in Christ.
 

 

            Ever-present God, you are Lord of both the bad days and the good.  Build in me the spiritual stamina I need to keep going so that faith in Christ might be expressed through love at all times and in every way through the power of the Spirit.  Amen.

Revelation 7:9-17

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment
            There is a day coming when followers of Jesus will be “before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence.”  It will be a glorious time of unending peace, harmony, and rest.
 
            But first, before this permanent Sabbath, there will be trouble, hardship, trial, and even martyrdom.  There must be suffering before glory.  Sometimes the difficult circumstances of life seem to have no end.  Yet, they will eventually pass, and we must continually keep this in mind.  There is a day coming when God’s pastoral presence will forever guard and keep our lives, if we endure to the end.
 
            Perseverance, endurance, and pushing through hard situations are necessary to realizing the finish line.  We cannot just sit here on earth in some sort of holding pattern waiting for the end.  Just as an athlete must go into strict training in order to run the race well, finish strong, and cross the line, so we as Christians are to be in training utilizing an array of spiritual practices that will fortify our souls to keep going and finish the race.  The book of Revelation was a vision of the Apostle John given to believers in hardship needing to persevere.  Giving them a glimpse of the glorious ending was one way of helping them in the present to live for Jesus Christ.
 

 

            Patient God, you tediously work until your plans and purposes are accomplished.  As you are slowly bringing your kingdom to the world, strengthen me so that I do not give up.  Help me to persevere, living and loving like Jesus, to his glory.  Amen.