My favorite flower is tulips.
Here’s the picture I took on April 11 outside of the hospital where I work:
Tulips really do pop. One day there are only green and closed up—the next day the petals are bursting with colors.
And tulips are tall. Not a bush, not lots of leaves, usually on a flat plot of ground.
And lastly, they’re so gorgeous for about two weeks … then they are gone. And that’s it. No more tulips. No more color.
Flowers don’t really come out of the ground until June—that’s why tulips are so awesome.
It’s that encouragement to hang on because something greater is coming. Winter is over (although it doesn’t feel like it quite yet!) … and spring is here (kinda, almost!) …
But summer is coming.
Green leaves, blue skies, flowers of all colors! No coats! Frisbees a-flyin’ and colorful chalk art covering the sidewalks! Sun and Vitamin D and open windows, oh my!
But life isn’t always summertime. Sometimes it’s winter. A lot like how this coronavirus (for the past fifteen months) has given us a reason to long for the day to hug our loved ones again, to see our friends off of Zoom and in-person …
And we long to see that first tulip.
A reason to persevere.
Before we dive into this word study, I should say: This list did not come from me! A friend shared a devotional that brought tears to my eyes and I asked to share it with you : ) She gave me the permission! So … here it is!
I am not alone
“Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12:3
The definition of “persevere” is “to persist in a state, enterprise, or undertaking in spite of counterinfluences, opposition, or discouragement.” (Source: Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, eleventh edition, published 2014)
Whatever “counterinfluences” you are tackling today (or this month, or this year), the author of Hebrews tells us to consider Jesus, who persevered in obeying God’s will, even to endure death on the cross as our atoning sacrifice.
Jesus suffered, and yet persevered.
Not only Jesus, but regular folks in the Bible had a lot going on … and they persevered too!
Consider Moses in the desert. God came to him from the burning bush. Remember how Moses responded? “Not me! Choose someone else!”
But throughout the Israelites journey to the promise land, God remained with Moses through the pillar of fire and pillar of cloud.
Let us not forget Apostle Paul and all the men of faith who persevered before us.
What are your counterinfluences today? What is against you?
And how does Jesus, who has persevered, encourage you?
I am refreshed in God
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28
In order to persevere, we need rest. Physical sleep and periods of inactivity, but also to times to return to the Creator and Sustainer of our souls, unburden our sins and sorrows, and find rest.
I read somewhere that athletes rest before a big game. Before a big trip, we get enough sleep before getting in the car.
Think about it a second: Rest before work.
Sleep before the new day. A water break before heading to the office (er, the home office). A Mommy Time-Out before the kids get crazy.
The next question is: where do I find this rest?
Jesus says He is our rest. “Come to Me,” He says. “I will give you rest.”
Could you do that? Take five minutes today to slow down and come to Jesus, and pray to Him?
Come as you are with whatever you are trying to get through, and ask Jesus who loves you to strengthen you to get through today? Could you ask Jesus to give you what you need to persevere one more day.
And this is God’s promise:
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31
And Jesus is waiting for you to ask Him.
God does all the work
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:26
Okay, so we go to Jesus for refreshment … but then we have to get back in the game! Back to the battle!
This time around, however, as you persevere through whatever “counterinfluence” is stacked against, know that as you persevere, as you strive and break through barriers, God is doing His work.
And I love this verse because it says “my flesh and my heart may fail.” I’m limited. I can only do so much … but “God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
God is still working when I’ve given up!!! When I’m out for the count, He doesn’t stop working for the good, never stops advancing His kingdom.
But this begs another important point:
Is what you are striving for important to God?
Will accomplishing this have eternal benefit?
Chew on that a sec.
We can do a lot of things every day … and get nothing of importance done. It’s the difference between busyness and productivity. I have a mentor who would say to me, “Better is the enemy of best.”
I might do a lot of good (and be exhausted). But could I do one thing more excellently (and have some strength to enjoy the outcome)?
Obviously, none of us can do only “one” thing. But we do need a focus. A priority in our lives.
Otherwise, we’ll find ourselves persevering … and never accomplishing anything.
Here’s another verse to ponder:
“Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.” Zech 4:6
Have you felt depleted and exhausted lately?
What kind of encouragement do you receive by knowing God is still working on your behalf—even when you can’t go on?
Will you bring all that you are doing today to Lord of hosts?
And will you let His Spirit decide if you should persevere …
or focus on something else?
There is a reward!
We made it!!! This is the final lesson this word-study!
And that’s what this part is about: a reward.
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9
After putting together the huge Zoom summer retreat for your church, you will get to enjoy the accomplishment and you might even hear people thanking you for a job well done.
That’s great!
But not everything we persevere for has a deadline though. When we’re praying for someone’s salvation, or to overcome an illness … it can feel like it never ends.
There is an end. God who was “In the beginning” is also at the end.
Ever thought about how the harvest you reap may not be the harvest you expected?
Or “the proper time” might be not be under your guidance, but under a different shepherd, or in a different city?
We persevere and give it our all … but God ultimately accomplishes His plan.
This word-study began with the Book of Hebrews and concludes there also : )
“Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.” Hebrews 10:35-36
And what is that which has been promised? The reward of our salvation. Jesus is the reward, a relationship with Him for all eternity.
Hallelujah!
As of this writing, there aren’t any tulips anymore. They’ve been replaced by the sweet-smelling lilac bushes and other colorful (bee-attracting) blossoms.
But that just means summer is right around the corner …
Persevere.
To recap:
- Jesus is with you!
- Jesus refreshes you!
- God does all the work!
- There is a reward!
I pray that you were encouraged by this lesson. If so, I’d love to hear what God taught you!
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