Session 18

Why Perseverance Matters

From Hebrews: A 24-Day Devotional

God is the builder of everything in our lives. He establishes the foundation of what we go through and allows us to be a part by serving Him. We have the privilege of being able to be servants in God’s house, which is the church. Serving out of love for God and others, not out of guilt or fear, is what He built His house upon. One of the greatest characteristics of serving Him is the ability to persevere through every struggle we face.

Jesus uses our struggles as a way to develop our relationship with Him (1 Peter 1:6-9). Just as storms point out the weak and strong parts of our house, struggles point out the weak and strong parts of our faith. Jesus built a strong house with us as the members, and we can remain faithful to serving Him because he remains faithful to helping us.

True commitment to Jesus is demonstrated through persevering over the long term, not just the short term. In Hebrews 3:6 we see that we must maintain our hope in Jesus and hold firmly to the confidence that He will do what He says He is going to do. No matter what, every situation has an opportunity for perseverance that builds trust to keep going and hold firmly.

God has given us the ability to persevere by responding to struggles with the confidence that He knows, plans and directs our lives for the good. We may face struggles while serving Him, but when we trust Him through those struggles, we can claim victory through perseverance.

Reflect:

• Are you praying for victory over or rescue from your struggles?
• What is one thing you are not fully trusting God with?
• What is one way you can begin to better serve others?