Blessed is the one
who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will
receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. ~
James 1:12
When do we need perseverance?
When there’s opposition.
When is there opposition?
Whenever God is about to do
something great.
Perseverance is “the characteristic of a man who is not
swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even
the greatest trials and sufferings,” (blueletterbible.com). That means when God has made us a promise to
do something great in our lives, we must stand firm on His Truth, press deeper
into His Word, and put on the full armor of God as never before. When God makes a promise to us the enemy is
also aware of it and he will stop at nothing to ensure God’s promises are not
fulfilled in our lives.
What does opposition look like? It’s anything from people’s words and
attitudes to mountains of bills to attacks on your home and your health. Opposition is tailored specifically for you
by an enemy who has studied you a long time.
He knows what things still make you tick and what things you’ve already
overcome. Any area you’ve already
overcome, he won’t bother you with because the enemy’s purpose is to defeat you
as quickly and as thoroughly as possible.
But do not lose heart, because God says, “My purpose will
stand, and I will do all that I please…What I have said, that I will bring
about; what I have planned, that I will do,” (Isaiah 46:10-11). God is on your side and wants nothing more
than for you to succeed and have victory over the opposition you are
facing. And God knows we do and we will
face opposition, which is why he prepares us in advance by sending us His Word
and surrounding us with believers who will pray us through. God knows that when we have victory over the
opposition, when we persevere and do not give up, the praise and glory He
receives is great.
Father God, many of us are facing great opposition
today. But as great as the opposition
is, You are greater. As strong and as
hard as the battle, You are mightier.
Lord, Your Word promises that You will not allow the righteous—that’s
us—to fall, but You will restore us.
Lord, as we press into You today, reveal to us the Truth or the promise
that we need to succeed and overcome the opposition we face today. Lord, as we read your promises, our faith and
excitement grow as we move toward the great victory we will have over this
opposition. Lord, be with us today and
reveal at least one new truth to us. In
Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.
