18. Never, Never, Never Give Up (Wise Words, Winston) – Victory! Pt. 5

Click on the following link for Part 4: 17. Never, Never, Never Give Up (Wise Words, Winston) Pt. 4

‘Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up’ – Galatians 6:9

To recap on what we have learned about perseverance so far in this series:

1. Perseverance develops faith
2. Perseverance with a grateful heart, is key
3. Perseverance leads to a deeper relationship with God
4. Pray without ceasing, during your journey of perseverance

And finally,

5. Perseverance leads to victory in Christ!

God promises victory in the end. This is the reward for our faithful journey of perseverance, for committing to and growing in a deeper relationship with Christ, and for cultivating an attitude of gratitude in all seasons.

In this final post, I want to zone in on the promises God has outlined for us, when we persevere for Him in the ways He instructs us. The Bible says it best so I’ll let these verses show us the victory He has promised us. Meditate on these truths. Let them be of encouragement to you as you persevere through this faith journey.

‘Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth’ – Revelation 3:10

‘Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown‘ – Revelation 2:10

‘Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him’ – James 1:12

‘God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.’ – Hebrews 6:10-12

‘He holds success in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose way of life is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones‘ – Proverbs 2:7-8

‘Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this; he will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.’ – Psalm 37:4-6

‘Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up’ – Galatians 6:9

‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight’ – Proverbs 3:5-6

‘But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. They will hand you over to synagogues and put you in prison, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. And so you will bear testimony to me. But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. Everyone will hate you because of me. But not a hair on your head will perish. Stand firm, and you will win life.’ – Luke 21:12-19

‘Stand firm and you will win life’. Victory lies in eternal life. We may not be persecuted by imprisonment or death. However, we will see it in some forms – that is a given when you decide to walk a life of faith and declare Christ as your Lord and Saviour.

You may see it in the choices you make, the unpopular political and moral views you hold in an increasingly liberal world, which is ironically intolerant of freedom of unpopular views/speech. You may see it in how your lifestyle is viewed – you may be ridiculed or laughed at either to your face or behind it. You may see it in the opinions people hold about you – who they assume you are; the perceptions they hold about you or how they expect you to be. Maybe people expect you to be a ‘Bible basher’, a ‘holy Joe’, someone they can’t be themselves around. Hopefully this isn’t the case.

Religion has a lot to answer for. Following Christ and the reality of what this should look like, has been swallowed up in the quest for power, in politics, in human endeavors.

Continue to persevere in this journey of faith. Continue to persevere in deepening your relationship with God despite the battles and spiritual attacks you face daily. Continue to look to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith; He understands what it is like. And you will be richly rewarded.

‘And let us run with perseverance the race marked our for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy that was set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.’ – Hebrews 12:1-3

‘So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For, “In just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay.” And, “But my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back.” But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.’ – Hebrews 10:35-39

Be encouraged and continue to persevere.

Love,

Abbie x