Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth
not to be ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth. II Timothy 2:15

Staying Power
By Jack Northart

There are days that try men’s souls. There are days that are filled with one discouraging set-back after another; one apparent defeat after another. For anyone that has been in one of these days, which is probably all of us, we know how hard it is to see the light at the end of the tunnel when confronted with such days. It leaves us empty, feeling lost and lonely. Even amid festive occasions, we may at times feel like the so-called odd-man-out, or perhaps feel like a failure at life. If we go to God’s Word, we see that we are not alone in these moments of self-pity and despair.

Hebrews 4:15
For we have not an high priest [Jesus Christ] which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

This verse of Scripture states that Jesus Christ was tempted in ALL points like as we are. That means that he saw every temptation that we will ever see. However, he “stayed the course” of believing God through it all without sin. Thus, he can now help us through the dark days of life.

Hebrews 2:18
For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour [strengthen] them that are tempted.

Jesus took on the most powerful religious and influential people of his day; the Pharisees. He was wrongly accused of violating the law of Moses time and again. Death threats were commonplace among this crowd.  Eventually, when his hour finally came, he allowed himself to be taken, beaten and crucified. In the midst of these confrontations, even his closest friends forsook him. To an outsider, his life would have looked like a complete and utter failure. But he knew that his heavenly Father was with him and would reward him. That gave him staying power to follow through on his mission to the end.

Hebrews 12:2-4
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 is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.  Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.

These verses set some perspective for us. Jesus Christ endured the torture, the humiliation and the pain of dying after being crucified. Why did he do it? “…for the joy that was set before him.”  He looked passed the immediate situation and saw the final conclusion of making it through it and “…is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”  It was worth it all to him.

No matter what opposition we meet or what discouragement overtakes us, drudgery will not disgust us, obstacles cannot discourage us, and labor will not weary us when we look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. It is not our brilliant intellect or resourcefulness that will help us in troubled times, but rather our persistence of effort and constancy of purpose, like the Lord Jesus Christ had, that will bring us through.  Christ will succor and strengthen us as we patiently endure. He will give us the staying power to keep going as we look to him.

Determination and persistence are the constant elements for success in life.  As long as we don’t give up and quit, we can succeed. We live in a time in history when life can be so full of excitement and learning, and we have the opportunity to give of ourselves to others like never before. With God at our side and bold determination, we will overcome all obstacles and problems of life and be truly successful.

Isaiah 40:28-31
Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.