Patient endurance
It is written, “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing”(James 1:2-3). Instead of quitting or feeling disadvantaged when diverse trials and storms show up, God calls on us to count them all joy. This is because all the trials God allows our way are to test our faith so that we can develop patience (endurance/perseverance). This will lead us to lack nothing if we stay the course to the end. This means that if you exercise patience and perseverance when faced with storms or trials, then the very thing you may seem to lack or have lost will be added to you since the trials that come our way are ultimately to bring us to a place of completeness, lacking in nothing.
We read in Hebrews 6:12 that it takes both faith and patience to inherit God’s promises. Therefore, do not lose heart nor quit if you seem to have believed for a breakthrough longer than you expected. True faith is also made evident by patience, and when the two combine, we possess our possessions. We are also told that “For ye have need of patience (endurance, perseverance), that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise” (Hebrews 10:36). This text shows that patience/perseverance is the will of God, and it is what we need to receive the promise of God. It also shows that the period of patience is not a time for idleness, passivity or apathy. Rather, it is for persevering in doing the will of God so that you will receive God’s promise. Even so, don’t just sit idle and wait for a storm to pass. Find out what God says to do through prayer and His Word and commit to doing that. And you will rise above every raging storm.
There is no trouble or storm patient endurance cannot overcome. Even in the greatest hour of trouble the church and the world will ever face, i.e., the great tribulation (Matthew 24:21), patient endurance, not an escape through the rapture, is what God iterates as key for His choicest servants (bondserservants) to triumph during that period (see Revelation 1:1 coupled with Revelation 13:10 and Revelation 14:9-12). If we can triumph over the great tribulation through patient endurance, then there is no other tribulation or storm patient endurance cannot overcome. Interestingly, the very storms/trials we need patient endurance to overcome, are the very things that train us to develop this great quality. Therefore do not waste your storms and trials. Let them be the opportunities they are to learn and develop patience so that you will overcome and lack nothing (cf. James 1:2-3).
Where patient endurance is present, we agree with Habakkuk and say, “Though the fig tree should not blossom and there be no fruit on the vines, though the yield of the olive should fail and the fields produce no food, though the flock should be cut off from the fold and there be no cattle in the stalls, Yet I will exult in the LORD, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation. The Lord GOD is my strength, And He has made my feet like hinds’ feet, And makes me walk on my high places…” (Habakuk 3:17-19). Therefore, having done everything you need to stand, continue to stand. For by your patience you will possess your soul (cf. Luke 21:19).
Kwadwo Omari, PhD
August 11, 2022.
A Very Important Message
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life (John 3:16). For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23). Therefore, If you do not know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, I invite you to put your faith in Him. Pray the prayer below to accept Jesus Christ as your Saviour: “I come to you God in Jesus’ name and surrender my life unto you. I repent of my sins and I ask You to forgive me all my sins. I confess with my mouth that Jesus is Lord, and I believe with my heart that God has raised Jesus from the dead. I thank you God for saving me, in Jesus name, Amen”. If you sincerely prayed this prayer, believe and be assured that you are saved, for the Bible says that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved (Romans 10:13, Romans 10:9-10, Acts 16:31). Find a Bible believing church to attend so that you can be discipled to grow in the ways of God. You can also email me ([email protected]) and I will be happy to grow together with you in Christ.