Recently I was visiting with family members whose son was recently in a terrible automobile accident. Their son is currently in a rehabilitation facility and we asked about his progress. The young man currently has no feeling in his legs, but he is standing in faith that he will walk again. One day physical therapists came to show him the newest, most modern wheelchairs. After the visit, the therapists left and the young man’s dad turned to him and said, “You know, those are really cool. But you’re not going to need one!”
I can only imagine that the temptation to give up the fight could be so strong considering the challenges that are ahead of this young man. But throughout his life, he has proven that he has what it takes to endure to the victory. The word endure means to “remain; to last”. All too often I see people give up when it’s so obvious to a person on the outside looking in that if they had just remained…if they would have just endured a while longer, could have received their victory. Some people settle for second best, when God’s very best is dependent only upon our ability to endure.
God says he will cause you to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in your inner man. The Message Version says it this way in Ephesians 3:16-19,
“My response is to get down on my knees before the Father, this magnificent Father who parcels out all heaven and earth. I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit—not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength—that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you’ll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God."
As you pray today, ask the Lord for endurance to remain. His plan for your life is an incredible one and He wants to give you everything He has so you can walk in His fullness.
Reading: Ephesians 3:16-19; James 1:12; Hebrews 10:36