John 5:5-6 One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?”
The dictionary meaning of “perseverance” is persistence in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success. In the world’s economy, perseverance is often overlooked and rarely rewarded. However, in God’s economy, “perseverance” is richly rewarded. Sincerity and tenacity add brownie points to our divine rewards.
The pool of Bethesda was a water reservoir that was used for ritual purification. The sick crowded around the pool as it was believed that at a certain time, (most probably around the Passover), an angel stirred the pool and the first one to enter the pool was healed. Bible scholars believed that God honoured the faith of the people who waited for a divine stirring of the pool. There was a paralyzed man lying by the pool of Bethesda for 38 years. Jesus did not see this man like others did. People around him must have sympathetically concluded that he would die in the same condition as he would never be able to get into the pool to be healed. But Jesus saw his perseverance. “Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me” (vs 7). Day and night the eyes of this man would have been in the pool, waiting for the pool to be stirred. Over the years his strength would have depleted but he refused to give up. This man did not come to Jesus. In fact, he did not even know who healed him. Yet, among the hundreds who were waiting around the pool Jesus was attracted towards the one who was perseverant and tenacious.
Don’t give up rebuilding the relationship with your spouse or a family member. Don’t give up in your business endeavours, completing your degree or overcoming a temptation.
God honours perseverance:
- Qualm: Doubt/qualm is the greatest enemy to victory.
- Question: Ask the right question and ignore the discouraging ones.
- Quit: Never Never Never give-up.
God will show up when we refuse to give-up.
Prayer: Father God, make me tenacious and perseverant in all my endeavours. Amen.
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