Jun 15

Perseverance is a crucial virtue needed in living out our lives for God. Jesus persevered to the end, staying on the cross until his work there was finished. He refused to take the vinegar that was offered him as a way out of even the smallest part of suffering. He was willing to go all the way to the bitter end, until he had accomplished all that God had sent him to do.

We are urged in Scripture to run with perseverance the race that is set before us (Heb. 12:1). We are not to give up, not give in to the mockings of the world or to our own plans and desires.

But how do we do this? It is a natural human tendency to either give up or compromise, find some easier way to accomplish a strenuous goal. But the next verse in Hebrews 12 gives us the answer to this pertinent question. It says there that we are to keep our eyes upon Jesus: That is the key, the secret, to having perseverance.

Jesus is our example. He was able to endure the tremendous sufferings of the cross by keeping his eye on the goal, not on the sufferings. Verse two says that in doing this, Jesus saw the great joy that awaited him after his suffering, and so he was abel to persevere to to the end.

We are encouraged to follow Jesus' example. Verse three of that section says that when we do this, we will not grow weary and give up. For Jesus endured much worse opposition from the world and yet he was victor -- and so shall we be victorious by keeping our eyes on him.

Scripture for today: Hebrews 12:1-3
Thought for today: Perseverance finds its champion in Jesus.
Prayer for today: Lord Jesus, thank you for being my example of how to persevere. It cost you your life.

JUN 15