March 22

But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house. And we are His house, if we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope of which we boast. — Heb 3:6 BSB

The attitude of faith is simple trust. It’s Elijah telling Ahab, "There is the sound of heavy rain," even before it begins. But then there comes a deeper experience, where prayer is worked out in persistence. It’s Elijah on the mount, with his face between his knees, laboring in prayer for the blessing he’s already believed in. He’s believed for it; now he must claim it. The first step is like Joash shooting an arrow out of the window, but the second is like Joash striking the ground—faith followed by perseverance.

Many of us fall short in this second stage. We ask God for much, but when He begins to give it, we aren’t ready to follow through. We are made partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence firm to the end, trusting Him through every challenge.

Fainting soldier of the Lord,
Hear His sweet inspiring word,
"I have conquered all thy foes,
I have suffered all thy woes.
Struggling soldier, trust in Me,
I have overcome for thee."