PERSEVERE TO OBTAIN BY FAITH

The dictionary defines perseverance as persistence in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success. It denotes the quality of being determined, and also it is the firmness or strength of faith.

Reference: Hebrews 11:1-2 New King James Version (NKJV) 'For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.'

The Bible says, 'faith is the substance of things hoped for.' It is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. And by this faith, the elders obtained a good testimony. It is the acts of faith that distinguished our spiritual ancestors and set them above the crowd.

If faith is the substance of things hoped for, then it means that we have to remain confident, hopeful and patient, even when we haven't seen it yet. At times faith requires perseverance because God has to stretch your capacity to receive. So faith is when you press through the unpleasant or difficult process without giving way or giving up. In other words, you must persevere to receive. I know that hoping and waiting can be an uncomfortable concept, especially when we are used to having everything on demand. But one of the faith ingredients or elements is 'hope'. Faith is the substance of the very thing you are expecting. That means, hope is an element in the manifestation of your expectation. Even as you attempt and wait for great things, you'll meet difficulties and defiance. However those unfavourable encounters don't nullify your faith.

In the Bible, Isaac's servants dug in the valley and discovered a well of fresh water there. But the herders of Gerar quarreled with those of Isaac and said, "The water is ours!" So he named the well Esek, because they disputed with him. Again the servants dug another well, and they quarreled over that one also; so he named it Sitnah. He moved on from there and dug another well, and no one quarreled over it. So He named it Rehoboth, saying, “Now the Lord has given us room and we will flourish in the land” (Genesis 26:19-22). The lesson is this: Isaac never gave up digging. He persevered and kept on digging. At last the Lord made room for him and his servants. Sometimes the faith that goes through 'perservering' process is the faith that thrives in the soil of challenges and trials. And the end result is usually a larger territory.

Isaac's experience and opposition was still part of his faith modules. Now when you think about it, faith is more about trusting God with the process and in the process, until you arrive there. It is giving up your 'how and when will it happen?' and your 'what if' questions. The Bible says in 2 Samuel 22:31 (NKJV), 'As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.' This means that you must study the character of who you are expecting from. His way is perfect and His Word is always proven. If He said it, it must come to pass. All you need is to trust Him in the process, come what may. As long as your faith is alive, steady and resolute, your testimony is sure because your conviction is intact. Therefore, press through and persevere to obtain your expectation and testimony by faith.

Scripture Reading - Romans 1:17; Hebrews 10:36; Romans 12:12; 1 Corinthians 16:13.

Guided Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank you for the faith and glorious heritage I have in you. For this very reason, I persevere in diligence, knowing that I'm supremely blessed and as I exercise my faith, I obtain my kingdom inheritance. No matter the challenges, I'm inspired by my faith and convictions, which enable me to possess my possessions in the Lord. By exuberant faith-declarations, I take hold of my abundance in Christ in Jesus' Name, Amen!