With endurance comes encouragement
Romans 15:4 – For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
As you look across the present year, has your response been peace and joy? Has hope for tomorrow been elusive? Has your patience taken a tumble? Does it feel like your stamina sat down and won’t get up? Perhaps you have faced challenges that have made you wonder just how much God cares for you. You wouldn’t be alone. You are looking for endurance.
In the first chapter of James, you read that the testing of your faith is what produces endurance. All through the Scriptures are overflowing promises of God’s love, forgiveness, salvation, peace, hope and joy for everyone who trusts in His Son, Jesus. Hebrews 10:35-36 reminds you that there is a reward ahead if you keep hold of your confidence in the Lord, and endure. There are many verses that suggest that endurance is a quality of a mature Christian, one who has experienced afflictions and trials, whose life hasn’t been a “bed of roses.” Look again at today’s verse: the recipe for your endurance is there…it is found in the Word of God. Your time in Scripture and looking to Jesus are the foundations for endurance that brings encouragement and that leads to hope.
Pray With Us
Dear Father, once again I confess to You that I have allowed my focus to shift on the things that are around me rather than You and Your love. Thank You for Your Holy Word and the comfort and encouragement I can glean from it as I read. Thank You that I can approach Your Throne and have this conversation with You. I’m almost afraid to pray for endurance because it is certain that there will be challenges to face in order to secure it; but I can do all things through Jesus Christ who strengthens me. Have Your will with me, for I trust in You. Amen.
- Pray that God will give you strength when you are feeling frail, nearly out of patience, or lacking in stamina.
- Pray that God will guide you to those Scriptures that will feed your soul right now.
- Thank Him for the people who are around you who give you encouragement in your walk with the Lord.
- Praise Him in the struggles He has brought you through.
- Pray for the confidence and faith He will produce in you.
- Pray that God will lead you as you worship and praise and celebrate His love, mercy, and compassion.
- Pray for an opportunity to give reassurance of the gift of His love to someone else today.
