Joy in EnduranceChikamu

With every muscle in his body screaming in pain, George, a middle-aged factory worker, is running the Boston Marathon for the first time. He’s been practicing diligently for months. He almost quits when he hits the “wall” at about the 20-mile mark but pushes through, gritting His teeth. He nears the finish line, gasping for each breath, but he endures – persevering through the pain and agony, and crosses the finish line. Is that how you see endurance – pushing through pain and sorrow and obstacles with everything you have? 

Well, that is a true picture in this old world – but as a Christ follower, I have great news for you! Endurance in the Bible is a joy and comes by God’s grace – not our effort. We are saved by grace, and not works. We endure by grace and not works!

Three times in the Gospels, Jesus said, “He who endures to the end will be saved” (Matthew 10:22; 24:13; Mark 13:13).

In Luke 2:43, Jesus at 12 years old stayed behind at the temple while His folks headed home. He remained in the presence of God, even though the situation called Him elsewhere.

In the next few lessons, let us enjoy Bible pictures of this lovely word endurance, and learn to relax as we pursue Jesus Christ with all our hearts, through His power, and not our own.