January 21

See how blessed we consider those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen the outcome from the Lord. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. — Jas 5:11 BSB

The words “endure” and “patience” in the original language are the same, and Job is given as an example of those who are blessed because they endure. Jesus uses the same word when He says, “He who endures to the end will be saved” (Matthew 10:22). So, we need endurance. Just as someone running a race doesn’t need so much speed as the strength to endure and keep going until the end, so the Christian must endure. Like a British soldier who never allows himself to be defeated, the Christian must keep going and never give up. We must never allow ourselves to be overcome by sin or Satan.

Even if it feels like God is pushing us away from His throne, we must continue pleading, refusing to take “no” for an answer, like the persistent widow with the unjust judge. How much we need patience and endurance to keep fighting, even when the battle seems to be against us; to keep running, even when we fear we may lose the race; and to keep pressing forward, despite every discouraging circumstance! But if we endure and do the will of God, as He desires, and if patience is given to us where we need it most, then we can be sure that we will receive the promise. “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9). Therefore, we are encouraged to be “steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58).