James 5:11 As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
“Perseverance forges our character to produce fruit”.
Perseverance is the inner strength to swim against the tidal waves. It is the tenacity to sail through the storms and battle the ghastly winds to reach their destiny. The changes in the circumstances or climatic conditions do not shake perseverance. Quitting is never an option to the perseverant. Perseverance is to be receptive, responsive and resilient.
Job was attacked on all sides. He lost his family, finances and friends in one day. While he was dealing with the excruciating pain of losing all his ten children, the dreadful news about the loss of his business came upon him – on the same day. To add sorrow upon sorrow his health went downhill. His wife in her bitterness of losing her children condemned his faith. “Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!” (Job 2:9). His friends came over to accuse him that it was his unrighteousness that brought the calamity upon him. Yet, after 2000 years the book of James gives an astounding witness about Job’s perseverance.
Perseverance refines our character. Job had a great testimony before his catastrophic trial. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil (Job 1:1). However, his testimonial became monumental after he got through his dreadful trial triumphantly. The Lord God was able to entrust twice as much as wealth, health and children because of his perseverance. No promotion comes without perseverance. Our testimony through the tests builds God’s confidence to entrust us with promotions.
Perseverance opens the door to promotions:
- Receptive: The perseverant are open to learn, change and correct. Those who are not receptive and teachable cannot expect to grow and be promoted.
- Responsive: The perseverant are responsive not reactive. Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, But he who hates correction is stupid (Proverbs 12:1). The over sensitive are reactive but the sober minded are responsive.
- Resilient: The perseverant are resilient. They will rise up even if they are knocked down.
Be pliable, teachable and resilient.
Prayer: Dearest Lord Jesus, help me to remain perseverant through the trials and grisly winds to be entrusted with double for my trouble. Amen.
Leave a Reply