THE POWER OF ENDURANCE II
NOVEMBER 5, 2024
TEXT: James 1:2-4
2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations;
3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4 But let patience have her perfect work, that you may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
Yesterday’s Reflection
Yesterday, we examined the meaning and purpose of trials, as well as the importance of endurance in every trial that comes our way, especially those that test our faith and resolve. Today, we will examine some biblical characters who passed through challenging experiences and managed to stand firm without compromising or letting frustration overwhelm them.
Biblical Characters
Job: Of all the saints who passed through trials in Scripture, few had a more terrible experience than Job. Described as one of the just and most upright men of his day, Job was not exempt from trials. What could be more brutal and traumatizing than losing all his livestock and ten children in a single day? However, Job demonstrated uncharacteristic endurance and perseverance despite it all. What a rare man indeed!
Joseph: This man had great potential and a glorious future, as illustrated by some of his remarkable dreams. However, he faced trials along the way. Firstly, his brothers conspired against him and sold him to the Ishmaelites, who then sold him to Potiphar in Egypt. Secondly, he was imprisoned for an offense he did not commit. All these experiences eventually culminated in his appointment as prime minister of Egypt, one of the dominant countries of that era. If he had not persevered, he might have lost that opportunity (Genesis 41).
Jacob: Jacob faced various challenges and trials on his path to success. He was cheated twice by his uncle Laban and endured 20 years of hard labor tending to his uncle’s flock before God divinely settled him. Those trials were formative and training periods for Jacob.
Paul: Originally a persecutor, Paul became an Apostle of the Lord. As expected, he faced numerous trials while carrying out his mission. After his conversion, he was constantly hunted by the Pharisees. During his first missionary journey, the men of Antioch and Iconium attempted to kill him by stoning him and Barnabas, his companion, but he escaped. During his second missionary journey, he faced challenges from rioters in Ephesus. The Apostle took all these in good faith and continued preaching the gospel defiantly. In fact, this same gospel led to his arrest in Jerusalem during his third missionary journey, resulting in numerous trials before Governor Felix, Festus, Herod Agrippa II, and later Caesar Augustus. It takes strong resolve to withstand all that Paul endured.
David: David’s trials began within his own family. Confined to the solitary atmosphere of the wilderness to rear the sheep alone, David faced another series of trials at the hands of King Saul, who tried to kill him to secure the throne for his own son. David passed through all these trials on his route to the throne but endured and later manifested gloriously, as God had ordained.
SEARCHLIGHT
As stated earlier, trials and tribulations come to everyone, and believers are not exempt. Our response to these trials determines a lot.
PRAYER
O Lord, help me to withstand on the day of adversity.
BIBLE READING
Daniel 10-12, Mark 5
PST. MICHAEL OMOLE
