Just past those sand dunes is the Pacific Ocean! Endure with hope.
For the joy set before Him, Christ endured the cross.
Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2)
Jesus was on the cross by obedience to His Father. Jesus could have rejected it, calling on legions of angels. (Matthew 26:53)
Sometimes we are called to improve the situation, or flee the situation. But not always. We need to pray and listen. There are God-ordained trials we must endure.
We are called to endure what God sets before us. We are to run the race God gives us. (1 Corinthians 9:24-27; Hebrews 12:1)
Since we are to endure, we are to endure with hope.
What is our hope?
What is our hope? Hope may NOT be a resolution to the situation. Hope, like for Jesus, is what is on the other side. Remember, Biblical hope is a guaranteed promise of God.
What is on the other side of enduring a God-given trial? Of persevering?
The crown of life (James 1:12; Revelation 2:10)
Proven character, made perfect, confirmed, complete, established, lacking in nothing (Romans 5:2-5; James 1:2-4; 1 Peter 5:10)
Favor with God (1 Peter 2:19-20)
Rejoicing with exultation (1 Peter 4:12-13)
An eternal weight of glory (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)
What are we to do?
We are to fix our eyes on Jesus. He is the model for enduring with hope. (Hebrews 12:2)
We are to wait on the triune God. (Isaiah 40:31)
We are to meditate on the guaranteed promises of God.
We are to walk in the newness of life, honoring God with our lives, obeying what He has called us to do.
We must remember we have been given everything pertaining to life and godliness. (2 Peter 1:3)
We must remember that we can do all things through Him who strengthens us. (Philippians 4:13)
Press on!
