The Path of PerseveranceНамуна

God became a man. He put on literal flesh and dwelt among us. The Son of God left the majesty of His throne to become a suffering servant. His personal day of trouble looked like being publicly humiliated, scorned, despised, whipped, and unjustly tortured until He was unrecognizable and eventually died. We know the rest of the story, but sometimes, in our own sufferings, we can grow shortsighted and struggle to persevere. Many times, when we face injustice, hardship, persecution, and trials, we can feel isolated and extremely discouraged by our pain, as if we have done something wrong.

Jesus has promised we will have trouble in this world, but for the one who has been born again into a Living Hope, we don’t have to experience the day of trouble like the world. Just like with Jesus, God also produces glory in the midst of our sufferings. He turns what’s gory into glory. He hasn’t lightheartedly instructed us to endure but pioneered the way through the cross, through His own body and blood.

Perhaps many of us have grown such little history with suffering that we assume suffering always equals tragedy. Suffering does not always mean a tragic event has taken place. It can also be simply persevering in the presence of betrayal, persecution, accusation, His pressing and crushing as we grow to look more like Him, or the Refiner’s fire.

No matter what we endure on this side of eternity, our assignment is to count it all joy and consider anything but Christ “rubbish,” as the Apostle Paul claims in Philippians.

What if, as the world grows more turbulent, the Church grows more hopeful?

What if hardship doesn’t cause a falling away in believers but an advancement of the gospel?

What if trials produce a Maranatha (come, Lord Jesus) cry in us that perfect conditions never will?

What if He is training a righteous company of people, a fiery remnant, to finish this race well because we know if we have Him, then we have everything?

Our desire for this reading plan would be to embolden you to take the Pathway of Perseverance and press on toward the Prize… Jesus. We pray that you and we would be ones who do not fall away, whose love grows cold, but tarry in joy and perseverance in every season until the return of our Lord Jesus. We love you.

Maranatha.

Welcome to day one! The first book of the Bible we will study in this reading plan is Philippians. At the end of each devotional, you will find questions intended to help you “take inventory” of your heart and respond to Him. It’s encouraged for you to read each day’s devotional and questions twice: once before reading the scripture and then a second time once you have.

Philippians is a letter written by Paul thanking the church of Philippi (located in Greece, but a Roman colony) for their partnership with him in the gospel and encouraging them to press on toward the prize, Jesus, with all perseverance, contentment, unity, and joy. Their “partnership” wasn’t the kind of modern-day donation to a mission trip or ministry we might think of today, but a sending of resources to Paul while imprisoned in a Roman jail for preaching the gospel.

Paul’s version of a “thank you card” back kicks off with exalting Christ, reminding them that the One (Jesus, not Paul) who began a great work in them would be faithful to complete it by the day of the Lord’s return. He also did not ask for sympathy from this community he deeply loved “with Christ’s affection.” Instead, he offered a provoking exhortation that what has happened to him is serving to advance the gospel within the prison, going as far to say that whatever the outcome, he lives or dies, it doesn’t matter—that for the believer, it’s a win/win situation.

Why?

For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sakes. Philippians 1:21-24

Can we truly say the same? That we are living lives so dedicated to the gospel that it is better for us to remain in this world because of how significant and fruitful our lives are? Because our lives have become such a benefit for the sake of others that it’s more necessary that we live than be with Him in heaven?

Paul ends the first part of his epistle with a charge to not live as citizens of the world but of heaven, conducting themselves in a manner that is worthy of the gospel. How? Standing firm, striving together as ONE for the faith of the gospel, and remaining unafraid of any opposition.

1. Paul was quick to attribute the authorship of the good work happening in Philippi to the Lord, boasting that what God began, He will finish. Do I trust that no matter what I am facing or will face, God initiated and will sustain the good work happening in and through me until Jesus returns?
2. The only reason it was better for Paul to live than to die and be with Christ was to continue advancing the gospel. Am I living a life unto the proclamation, demonstration, and celebration of the gospel of Jesus?
3. Paul was imprisoned for preaching the gospel but did not quit preaching once in prison, leading to the salvation of others inside with him. Paul’s battlefield became God’s harvest field. What’s a battleground (a difficult place, challenging situation) in my life that God wants to turn into His harvest?