2 Peter 1:5-7 (ESV)
For this very reason make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue (moral excellence), and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, self-control with steadfastness . . .
- Perseverance means to bear up under. It describes someone who remains steadfast in the face of severe trials, obstacles, and suffering.
- Perseverance is the ability to go through a severe time in our lives.
“Perseverance is not resignation, putting up with things the way they are, staying in the same old rut year after year after year, or being a doormat for people to wipe their feet on. Endurance is not a desperate hanging on but a traveling from strength to strength . . . Perseverance is triumphant and alive.” – Eugene Peterson
What Is the Power of Perseverance?
1. Perseverance is the determination to win.
Luke 8:15, . . . the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.
2. Perseverance produces trust.
Job 42:12 (ESV)
And the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than at the beginning…
James 5:11
As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
- Perseverance is our willingness to wait on God to apply His grace to our frustrations and His answers to our questions and as we wait, we continue to move forward.
Job 42:2 (NKJV)
I know that you can do everything, And that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You.
3. Perseverance produces transformation.
Romans 5:3 (ESV)
. . . we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance (perseverance).
James 1:2
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
- It has been said that no one becomes a true disciple without perseverance.
4. Perseverance sees victory not defeat.
1 Timothy 6:11 (NLT)
. . . Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.
2 Corinthians 4:16-17
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.