ENDURANCE
This is a kind of power needed to fight unpleasant situations of life, the capacity to withstand wear and tear. It is the gift of God given to achieve a purpose. In the case of our Lord Jesus, He endured the cross for the purpose of the joy set before Him and now seated at the right hand of the throne of God. The truth of the matter is that without an expectation of joy, it will be very difficult to endure. There must be a target, a goal, objective and an hope that bring endurance in its place.
In any situation we find ourselves, let borrow the idea of setting up a joy, an expectation ahead of us. It shows we are walking with purpose. Then, the Lord will release the power to endure the situation as we commit unto Him the joy of our heart, which we trust God, He will do it. This act is godly, remember our God declares the end from the beginning.
The game changers for the effective power of the endurance at wok in us are Righteousness and Mercy. Righteousness endures forever and also, Mercy endures forever. When we talk about effective power in Physics, we mean an electric power that can be converted to mechanical, chemical or thermal forms of power. So, in this case, endurance is no more seen in the picture anymore, what we see in us are righteousness and mercy of God. We take delight in the righteousness and the mercy of God for it is in this place we derive our ability that keep us moving despite any odd to our place of joy.
As we endure the time, the work, the marriage etc, the new song the Lord put in our mouth is no more endurance but righteousness and mercy, with the strong evidence of meeting the joy of our heart. It calls for a lifestyle of righteousness and mercy. Righteousness by the law of God and by the faith in God. We must be able to fulfill all that has been written regarding the joy of our heart, our expectation and also, believe in God who will do it. That is obedience to the commandment of God in that unpleasant time and believing in what the Lord can do and not what a man can do. In case of Mercy, we see our strength or power not enough and fully rely on God’s power, for it is not by power, nor might but by His Spirit says the Lord. In this case, we are at the mercy of God, He is the Potter, we are the clay, we surrender ourselves into His hand to mold us as He pleases by being led by His Spirit.
In righteousness, Peace cannot be separated from it, they move together and likewise in mercy, Truth cannot be separated. In this time of Endurance, walking in righteousness and mercy of God, there will be Peace and Truth will be revealed to us. Our heart will be at peace of the joy ahead of us and more truth about our joy or expectation will be unveiled to us by the Spirit of the Truth which is given to those who humble themselves before the Lord.
In this time, let keep on “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Heb. 12:2 NKJV)
May His grace be sufficient for us now and always in Jesus name. Amen
Praise God! Amen