Daily Office for April 25, 2011 - Perseverance

1) Silence, Stillness and Centering before God (2 minutes)

2) Devotional
 & Scripture

Why do we often feel like giving up or quitting? A primary reason we are tempted to give up is other people….the less than 20% whose major role it is in life to encourage others to toss in the towel. These “white flag” specialists never run out of excuses you and I ought to use for quitting. I have met many “why-sweat-it” experts on the three continents where I have lived life.

I would imagine Anne Mansfield Sullivan had a host of folks telling her that the blind, seven-year-old brat wasn’t worth her trouble. But Anne persevered—in spite of temper tantrums, physical abuse, mealtime madness, and even thankless parents. In her heart she knew it was worth all the pain. Indeed she was right. Within two years the young girl was able to read and write in braille. She eventually graduated from Radcliffe College, where Miss Sullivan had “spelled” each lecture into her hand, and Helen Keller devoted the rest of her life to aiding the deaf and the blind.

Perseverance is difficult but it always pays. It is a costly investment but the dividends are so much greater than the original outlay that you’ll almost forget the price. In some cases the final benefits are so significant that you may wonder why you ever hesitated in the beginning.

When I think of Jesus on the Mt. of Olives I am encouraged that even he felt like quitting. He cried: “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will but yours be done” (Luke 22:42). But He persevered; never quit…even when the drops of blood pushed though on his forehead from the stress of anticipated suffering.

You and I can recall a time or two when we felt like quitting too. We also remember a time or two when God could have (and perhaps should have) wiped us off the face of the earth. But he didn’t. Why? Because of the great truth in Philippians 1:6:

He who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ—right up to the time of His return—developing that good work and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you.

Whatever you do, don’t quit! God in not through with you yet!

4) Questions to Consider Where is God leading you to practice perseverance?

5) Prayer
Lord, give me courage today.  Help me resist temptation to give up.  Help me see that you have crafted a unique journey for me.  I surrender my needs and desires to be in control. Lord over my life, Jesus.  In your name I pray.  Amen.

Conclude with Silence (2 minutes)