The Power of Perseverance

There is an amazing promise found in the book of 2 Peter that I want to make sure you know about: “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness” (1:3 NIV). Right there in black and white, God has promised to give you everything you need to live an authentic, impactful life as a member of His kingdom. And one of those things you need is perseverance. Look at what Peter wrote later in that chapter:

Make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (vv. 5–8 NIV, emphasis added)

Perseverance is a never-give-up attitude, a commitment to move forward when everything conspires to hold you back. No matter what happens, you finish the job. Think of the English word itself: persevere. The prefix per conveys the idea of “through,” so perseverance is the ability to go through a severe time.

Perseverance turns ordeals into opportunities. It gives us the opportunity to finish what we begin, to outlast pain and sorrow, to strive until we accomplish difficult things, and to demonstrate God’s grace in all seasons of life.

Those who learn to accept and use God’s gift of perseverance are forces to be reckoned with. In a world where most people give up and give out, those who keep going will accomplish more than they can imagine.

The entire ministry of our Savior was plagued with difficulty and opposition. During Jesus’ forty-day wilderness fast, Satan tried to derail Him with temptations disguised as painless shortcuts to His goal. Throughout His ministry, He endured opposition, exhaustion, and misunderstanding. Near the end, He vividly foresaw the horrors looming ahead and prayed in abject agony with sweat pouring from Him like great drops of blood. Finally, He was falsely accused in a mock trial, brutally scourged, and nailed to a cross to hang for six agonizing hours as blood poured from the thorns lacerating His scalp, from the wounds in His hands and His back, and finally from the wound of a spear impaling His side.

And yet He persevered through it all.

The result? Forgiveness for us, the shattering of the gates of hell, and glorious resurrection from the dead. When we keep our eyes on Jesus, He gives us the spiritual stamina to run with perseverance, endure, and never grow weary or lose heart.

When you feel like quitting, just look at the cross. Look at the empty tomb! Look at His ascension into heaven. Look at Him there on the throne. Look at His victory. Look at His love for you. Look at His grace. Consider Him. Meditate on Him. Talk to Him. Draw from His Word.

And never give up.

Respond

• Describe a struggle in your life that Jesus helped you persevere through.
• How did Jesus get you through that time?

Prayer

Lord Jesus, each day comes with new challenges. May I keep my eyes focused on You and Your ultimate plan for me.