Perseverance Leads to Break-Through

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. ~ James 1:12

The Bible says that because God is the highest authority, when He makes a promise, He must swear by Himself as the utmost authority, (Hebrews 6:13).   If we believe that God is the highest authority, shouldn’t we also believe God will come through on the promises He makes to us?  I think the tendency is to believe at first—the first month, year, or even five years.  After a while, we begin to weary in the waiting and doubt creeps in, causing us to lose sight of who God is and all the other times He’s fulfilled His promises.

Isaiah 55:9, 11 reveals that God’s Word is greater than anything we can measure and when He speaks, those things happen.  His Word also says, “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” (Isaiah 43:19).  Unfortunately, the wearier we become the more we close our spiritual eyes and tell God we don’t see it anymore.  What we need to remember is that this life is not just about promises fulfilled, but about the journey there.  God’s Word says He wants to promote us from glory to glory, (2 Corinthians 3:18). “Glory to glory,” refers to a level of intimacy and maturity and along with that comes blessing.  As we grow closer to our Lord, we become more like Him and our walk is taken from its current level to a deeper and deeper level.  As we grow deeper and higher in our walk, the enemy fights harder to break us, but when we break-through, God’s glory is all the more.

In my own life, I’ve discovered that the areas of trial and testing are the same areas of break-through and blessing.  This kind of cycle has been referred to as strength- or endurance-training.  James 1:2-4 says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”  Every new level requires more of me than the last.  And every time we journey between promises fulfilled, we are being “trained” so that when we reach the next level, we won’t freak out and we’ll handle it as if it’s the most normal and natural way to go about things.

What has God promised you?  What has been revealed and what hast yet to be fulfilled?  Thank God for what He’s already done in your life and praise Him that He loves you enough not to leave you there.  Eleanor Roosevelt said, “When you stop learning you stop living in any vital and meaningful sense.”  God’s got you here for a reason; ask Him to reveal it to you and then praise Him that fulfillment is on its way.

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering…But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. ~ 1 Peter 4:12-13