Revelation 14:12
This calls for patient endurance on the part of the people of God who keep his commands and remain faithful to Jesus.
Endurance = the ability to carry on in the face of unpleasant or difficult circumstances without giving in or giving up.
We are all called at some stage of our lives to endure something - indeed that is how the Holy Spirit produces the fruit of "long suffering" !
[Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 [g]gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.]
If you stop and consider - various times in your life will spring to mind when you've had to grit your teeth and keep going - probably over a l-o-n-g period.
Endurance isn't something we enjoy doing, but it yields a rich harvest in our lives. [Athletes say "no pain, no gain" as they exert every last ounce of energy when they're training.]
Matthew 24:13
Jesus said: But he who endures to the end shall be saved.
Our Christian life isn't a 100 metre sprint, it's a marathon... only those who make it to the end.. get the prize.
Now is not the time to give up and lose faith in Jesus, now is the time to pain it out and stay in the race.
Hebrews 12:1-4
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the Champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting Him, He endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now He is seated in the place of honour beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility He endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.
Perhaps you're in the midst of a trial right now and feel like giving up. Let God's Word garrison your heart and look to Jesus!
There's a joy coming that will help you endure your own "cross".
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