Perseverance

“ Persevere – to continue in a course of action even in the face of difficulty or with little or no prospect of success.” -New Oxford American Dictionary

“I will not let you go until you bless me.” – Jacob wrestling with God.

“Where else can we go? You are the one with the words of eternal life.”- Peter, after Christ’s “hard words” that caused many to leave him.

“Are you the one we’re waiting for, or should we seek another?” -John the Baptist from prison asking if Jesus was the promised one.

Abraham waited for about 25 years for Isaac’s birth. Promised at age seventy-five, born at age ninety-nine.

The people of Israel spent 400 years in Egypt without any contact from God, then another forty in the desert on a trip that should have taken about two weeks. They also spent a silent 400 years from Malachi’s last words until the Baptizer’s entrance.

“To him who overcomes …. ” Jesus, to the angels of the churches.

“… and after you have done everything, stand.” Paul, to the saints at Ephesus.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” Paul, shortly before his death, writing to Timothy.

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Author of the book of Hebrews.

 

Me, I’m whining about having to do laundry all the time.