Blessed Are Those Who Persevere!
Reading: Revelation 14
My Verse: "And I heard a voice from heaven saying, "Write this; Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on." "Blessed indeed," says the Spirit, "that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!" (14:13)
Here is the second blessing of Revelation. The first blessing spoke of how those that "read and listen to and heed" Your Word would be blessed. Here we are told that those that persevere in the faith even to death will be blessed.
Perseverance is that characteristic that is greatly admired in our society. It is that ability to persist on a course one has taken. Perseverance overcomes many obstacles and difficulties. Throughout scripture this characteristic is spoken of as forbearance, endurance, patience, or long suffering.
You, My dear Lord and Saviour have taught us much about perseverance in Your Word.
"Wait for the LORD, be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!" (Psalm 27:14)
"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer" (Romans 12:12).
"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up" (Galatians 6:9).
Paul spoke of it in this way. "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith" (2 Timothy 4:7).
"He that endures to the end shall be saved" (Matthew 10:22)
"Blessed is the man that endures temptation; for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him" (James 1:12).
These are all wonderful encouragement. It is so easy to doubt, all kinds of little doubts can creep in. Oh, LORD God thank You for this teaching, for these reminders. I understand why it is so important to have Your word imprinted on the forefront of my brain! For I do have doubts, many that sometimes crowd into my brain to push You out.
You tell us, "All things can be to him who believes!" (Mark 9:23). But all I am able to do is cry out to You like the father of the poor boy. "I believe! [Constantly] help my weakness of faith!" (Mark 9:24)
I love Paul's prayer in Colossians 1:11. "(We pray) that you may be invigorated and strengthened with all power according to the might of His glory, [to exercise ] every kind of endurance and patience (perseverance and forbearance) with joy."
Yes, I know that with Your help I can persevere to the end. That is something I can hang onto.
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
Reading: Revelation 14
My Verse: "And I heard a voice from heaven saying, "Write this; Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on." "Blessed indeed," says the Spirit, "that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!" (14:13)
Here is the second blessing of Revelation. The first blessing spoke of how those that "read and listen to and heed" Your Word would be blessed. Here we are told that those that persevere in the faith even to death will be blessed.
Perseverance is that characteristic that is greatly admired in our society. It is that ability to persist on a course one has taken. Perseverance overcomes many obstacles and difficulties. Throughout scripture this characteristic is spoken of as forbearance, endurance, patience, or long suffering.
You, My dear Lord and Saviour have taught us much about perseverance in Your Word.
"Wait for the LORD, be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!" (Psalm 27:14)
"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer" (Romans 12:12).
"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up" (Galatians 6:9).
Paul spoke of it in this way. "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith" (2 Timothy 4:7).
"He that endures to the end shall be saved" (Matthew 10:22)
"Blessed is the man that endures temptation; for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him" (James 1:12).
These are all wonderful encouragement. It is so easy to doubt, all kinds of little doubts can creep in. Oh, LORD God thank You for this teaching, for these reminders. I understand why it is so important to have Your word imprinted on the forefront of my brain! For I do have doubts, many that sometimes crowd into my brain to push You out.
You tell us, "All things can be to him who believes!" (Mark 9:23). But all I am able to do is cry out to You like the father of the poor boy. "I believe! [Constantly] help my weakness of faith!" (Mark 9:24)
I love Paul's prayer in Colossians 1:11. "(We pray) that you may be invigorated and strengthened with all power according to the might of His glory, [to exercise ] every kind of endurance and patience (perseverance and forbearance) with joy."
Yes, I know that with Your help I can persevere to the end. That is something I can hang onto.
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
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