Faith That Endures

Faith That Endures

The focus word for today is ‘Faith that endures’.

The focus verse for today is Matthew 24:13 says, ‘ but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.’

The declaration for today is ‘Enduring faith defines my journey; I remain steadfast until the promise is fulfilled.’

Enduring Faith Is Proven Over Time

Faith cannot be proven in an instance, it is only proven over time, over challenges and over circumstances. The context of Matthew 24:13 is when the disciples ask Jesus several questions about faith, about his second coming and such. It is to be noted that Jesus did not merely speak about starting well in faith but talks about the importance of enduring faith. While starting well in faith is important, Jesus emphasised on how we must endure in faith and continue in the faith irrespective of our circumstances. The one who stands firm in their faith, until the very end will be saved in Christ.

Many people begin their Christian journey with a lot of excitement. But matured believers persevere till the very end. We must all persevere in our faith till the very end, despite our circumstances and challenges. Even if your desires do not come to fruition, or your prayers are not answered, we must all persevere till the very end as matured believers in Christ.

Hebrews 3:14 says, ‘ We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end.’

Everything at the end comes down to the fact that we must finish well in our faith in Christ. We need to be a good finisher and how we started does not have a bearing on if we will be saved in Christ.

Luke 8:15 says, ‘But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.’

Revelation 3:11 says, ‘ I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.’

The strength of faith is revealed by its endurance. It is not merely enough to survive a major crisis and come out of it in faith. A one-time instance does not prove your enduring faith. An enduring faith is proven through continuous and consistent faith in the Lord despite challenges and unanswered prayers.

Take for an instance the case of a bridge. A bridge could be long, and built by the best engineers. But the strength of the bridge depends on the number of years it lasts without cracks and issues. It could have a grand start, but its endurance over the years proves its strength. Lasting strength proves true quality.

Endurance Is Built Through Daily Faithfulness

Daily faithfulness is the key. Great spiritual victory is the result of countless acts of daily ordinary obedience. All these small, ordinary acts of faith and obedience, comes together to form the great victory in Christ. Daily faithfulness grows through daily prayers, bible reading, trusting God and humbling ourselves before him.

When we read the story of Abraham, one of the things that we see is a period of waiting. Abraham and Sarah waited for many many years to receive their promised child. It was not an easy wait, and their faith wavered even, but they came back to their faith and persevered.

Psalms 119:112 says, ‘My heart is set on keeping your decrees to the very end.’

Take a decision today that you will put your faith in God and will obey his commands till the end of your life.

Colossians 1:23 says, ‘ if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.’

Be unshakable in your faith, today. It is consistency that develops endurance. Consistency in prayer, in spending time with God and trusting God.

If you look at carpenters, before they start their work they sharpen their tools, and spend a considerable amount of time everyday sharpening their tools. This is how we must sharpen our tools. We must walk with God, talk with God, pray before God, every single day to sharpen our faith in him. In fact, prayer is a spiritual weapon and God says we should wear the armour of God everyday in prayer and in truth to fight the battles of our daily life. God connects with us in our hearts and the prayers that come from our hearts. God does not pay attention to religious recitals, because many at times it is recited out of habit rather than as a sincere prayer from the heart.

Romans 8:26 says, ‘In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.’

Trials Test Faith, But Also Strengthen It

Trials are not meant to pull us down. Rather it tests our faith, and at the same time strengthens it. Even Jesus said, difficult times will come, but pressure does not automatically destroy faith, instead deepens it.

1 Peter 4:12-13 says, ‘12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice in as much as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.’

Every believer will go through periods of trial in their life and sometimes we are even tested in fire. But it’s up to us to decide if these challenges will strengthen us or break us.

Romans 8:25 says, ‘ But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.’

Several God ordained things may not happen in our lives in the time that we want it or expect it. It may happen to us when we least expect it, in God’s perfect timing.

James 5:11 says, ‘As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.’

The book of Job answers the question ‘Why do bad things happen to good people?’ We must know that it is not God that brings us bad fortune but Satan.

The End Of Faith Is Greater Than The Struggle Of Faith

Jesus always pointed disciples beyond the current challenges to focus on the future victory and glory. Jesus always encouraged them to look at and focus on eternity.

2 Timothy 4:7-8 says, ‘7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.’

Hebrews 10:36 says, ‘ You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.’

Sometimes what happens in our lives could be the opposite of what we prayed for, but that does not mean that God is not listening to our prayers. It just means that we must persevere in our faith, knowing that our God is ever faithful. In the end our God will give us more than what we asked or hoped for. All we must do is stand strong and steadfast in our faith.

Revelation 2:10 says, ‘Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.’

The reward belongs to those who continue trusting in God.