Persistence

Right now in my life I would have to say that persistence is one thing I wish would come by me easier than it has been. Persistence, or endurance, or even motivation, would all be very nice if it came gift wrapped with a nice bow on top. Unfortunately it doesn't come like that and more often than it not, those qualities come through hardship, life experience, trial and error, or if your lucky it comes through the persistence of your parents in their ways of raising you. But for those of you who were raised in a more hap-hazard, "go-with-the-flow" kind of life then these qualities are not ones that come by you easily. I've often wondered to myself why I'm not where I thought I was supposed to be in my life. and though I could be wrong, I think a lot of it comes down to my lack of perseverance. my eyes were opened to several examples in the Bible of people who persevered, and didn't give up, and because of that they received what God wanted for them.

First lets look at Joseph:

You could look at his life and say either he had terrible luck, or he had great luck, depending on how you view it. He was thrown in a pit because of a dream he had, he was thrown in jail because of his stand for purity and justness, but then he was made second in command at a very crucial point in time. Through all of it though, he kept his belief, he had a good work ethic, he didn't throw up his hands in despair. He never gave up! However, it took years and years and years of one seemingly hopeless situation after another for him to be put where God wanted him. He kept a good attitude and therefore everyone around him respected him.

Second example would be David:

There was a reason God picked him for king. We all know the tale of David and Goliath. But what if David had been afraid just as his brothers? What if he didn't speak up? He didn't stop at asking questions about why no one would fight Goliath, he didn't simply do his job. He had good work ethics. David did above and beyond what was asked or required of him. David brought food to his brothers in the camp, But tried urging them to do their job in fighting Goliath. (although to no avail)So David took it upon himself to face the giant, and in coming at him in the name of the Lord, David killed Goliath. No fear, No waiting and pondering and wondering, no sitting for days fasting about what to do. David knew what he needed to do, and did it. David went on to become the greatest king in all of Israel.

Third person to look at is Elijah:

Elijah is respected as a great prophet. He did many wonderous signs and miracles in the name of the Lord. At one point a widows son had died and the widow who had been taking care of Elijah (although she was very poor and had nothing in her house but flour and oil) Her son died from sickness. She blamed the man of God for reminding her of her sins and bringing this upon her. Elijah went right away taking the boy and cried out to God. He stretched his body out on the boy and prayed. But Elijah didn't do this just once or twice. He did it three times each time pleading with God to give the boy his life back. This man of God did many many miracles that he only needed to say once for it to come to pass. I don't know if he was surprised about the boys life not returning immediately but usually his words came to pass right away. He didn't give up in asking God until God listened to him and it was granted.

One last example and I will leave you to your thoughts:

Just after God revives the life of the widows son, [1 Kings chapter 17, 18]God spoke to Elijah telling him that rain would soon be coming and to present himself to king Ahab (who had been seeking Elijahs life). So Elijah, unafraid Went before kind Ahab and told him to send the prophets of Baal to build an alter. Elijah mocked the prophets as they chanted and danced but their god could produce no fire. After Elijah had prayed for the peoples hearts to be turned back to the One True God, Elijah built his alter to God filling it with water and of course God sent down fire so hot that it even burned the stones! Well God had promised rain. Elijah full of faith believed God, and told king Ahab to go get food because rain would be coming. Elijah goes up Mount Carmel to pray for rain. Stop right there! God had promised rain, why is Elijah now on his hands and knees praying for it? Elijah sends his servant to look over the mountain for any sign of rain. Nothing. Elijah gets down on his hands and knees again. sends his servant up again to see any sign of rain. Still nothing. Elijah doesn't get discouraged. he doesn't stop at three times. And he doesn't stop praying until he sees the cloud. Is that what God wants from us? to not stop asking until we receive what He has promised? It's not until Elijah has sent his servant (and had bowed on his hands and knees to pray) Seven times that finally the servant reports that he see's a small cloud. Remember that God had promised rain to Elijah, So why didn't Elijah just "walk in faith" and "believe" God for the rain? ... No Elijah did something about it, and didn't relent until the promise was fulfilled! Elijah beseeched God seven times for rain. No giving up, no waiting, no just walking around knowing it will happen. Elijah PRAYED.

Now when hardships, trials, unemployment, failing marriages, poor health and anything else comes your way, if God has promised you something different from what you have, don't just wait. PRAY! don't just believe, pray! and don't just pray, DO!!!!