The Power of Perseverance!

God, the Father, sent Jesus Christ, His Son, to save, rescue, and revive us and the whole world (John 3:16; 12:46; Titus 2:11; 1 John 2:2). Jesus bruised the serpent’s head (Satan) and won the victory through His death, resurrection, and ascension into heaven seated at the Father’s right hand (Genesis 3:15; Colossians 2:13 – 15; Matthew 28:18; Hebrews 12:2; 1 Peter 3:22). We have been raised and seated with Him in a place of victory (Ephesians 2:6). God has made good on His promises and has never left us without hope and a promising future (Jeremiah 29:11; 2 Corinthians 1:20). We must hold on to those promises with a bold and tenacious faith that refuses to let go of God’s plans!

We have recently been through many challenging times with evidence of religious and political spirits in operation in world events, wars, rumors of wars, negative results from the pandemic causing sickness, death, economic upheaval, cultural issues, etc. God’s promises don’t include that we won’t go through trials and tribulations, but He is with us during those times and gives us the victory. We are overcomers, but we must walk by faith and run the race set before us, enduring until the end (Hebrews 12:1).

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
So then, we must cling in faith to all we know to be true. For we have a magnificent King-Priest, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who rose into the heavenly realm for us, and now sympathizes with us in our frailty. He understands humanity, for as a Man, our magnificent King-Priest was tempted in every way just as we are and conquered sin. So now we come freely and boldly to where love is enthroned, to receive mercy’s kiss and discover the grace we urgently need to strengthen us in our time of weakness. Hebrews 4:14 – 16 TPT

We have the grace of God and the very power of Christ Himself to strengthen us and cause us to be victorious in our lives today! That is the power of perseverance. But we must put aside every distraction and hindrance and run our race with endurance while fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:1 – 2). We must forget those things behind and reach forward to those things ahead, pressing toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:13 – 14).

We have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end. Hebrews 3:14
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23
Therefore do not cast away your confidence which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God you may receive the promise. “For yet a little while, and He who is coming will come and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith; but if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.” Hebrews 10:35 – 37
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:1 – 5

Jesus says He will reward the faithful church, those who have kept His command to persevere by keeping them from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. Therefore, we are to hold fast what we have that no one may take our crown (Revelation 3:10 – 11).

No matter what is going on in the world or our lives, we can dwell in the secret place (Psalm 91:1). The secret place is where we connect with God and spend time in His presence. It is a place of intimacy where we choose to meet with the Lord and commune with Him moment by moment. God is all about relationship, union, and communion!

We may be living in dark times, but we are to shine because the glory of the Lord has risen upon us. The Lord will arise over us, and His glory will be seen upon us, causing many to come to the brightness of our rising (Isaiah 60:1 – 3). We do not live in fear but live empowered by the secret place – Christ in me the hope of glory! We are in the secret place when we abide in Christ (John 15:5 – 7). It is where we come to get everything God has given us through Jesus Christ. We can choose at any moment to turn our thoughts and hearts to commune with Him because we are born again, and His Spirit lives within us. He invites us to dwell in the secret place and receive all God’s Blessings.

If you read Psalm 91 in its entirety, you can see many of these Blessings mentioned. First, the Most High, the Almighty, overshadows and covers us, i.e., He is our refuge and fortress. He delivers us from the perilous pestilence and the fowler’s snare (enemy traps). When He covers us with His feathers, and we take refuge under His wings, it is a place of protection and brooding where He births things in us.

His truth helps us grow in discernment, and we can hear God’s report and receive His perspective so we won’t be afraid. This secret place is safe, where no evil will befall us, and no plague will come near our dwelling, including our household. He gives His angels assignments to keep us from harm. We also receive strategies on how to trample on the enemy. So, when we set our love upon God and call upon Him, He has promised to be with us in trouble, deliver, and honor us. He will satisfy us with long life and show us His salvation! (My notes from the webinar, “The Power of the Secret Place” by Robert Hotchkin).

The secret place is a place of relationship, empowerment, equipping, communion and intimacy, etc., where we experience His wrap-around presence. So I want to encourage you to engage with Him and develop a connecting lifestyle of intimacy with Him.

Jesus said that a wise man builds his house on the rock so that the house will not fall when storms come. So, don’t build your house on the sand by not doing what He says because the rain and storms will come, and your house won’t stand. So likewise, a wise man builds on the rock, a solid foundation by listening to Jesus’ Words and doing them (Matthew 7:24 – 27). That rock is Jesus, the cornerstone of the foundation that protects us in the storms (1 Peter 2:6 – 8)! When we follow and obey Him, we submit to God, resist the devil, and he will flee (James 4:7).

Therefore, it is not a time to retreat, give in or give up! On the contrary, we need to push forward, advance, and persevere. Sometimes the battle is the fiercest right before the breakthrough. Nevertheless, our endurance will bear fruit (James 1:2 – 4). So don’t give up or give in to the enemy’s plans, but stand with God’s grace (enabling power) and strength (Colossians 1:11; Hebrews 12:12). Christ’s overcoming power will give us victory!

Be encouraged and strengthened as you look up these Scriptures:

Psalm 46:1 Psalm 29:11 Psalm 18:2 Psalm 18:28 – 40 Isaiah 12:2 Isaiah 30:15 Isaiah 40:29 Psalm 31:24 Habakkuk 3:19 Psalm 118:14 Psalm 73:26 Psalm 89:17 Psalm 59:16 Nahum 1:7 2 Thessalonians 3:3 Acts 3:19 – 20. 2 Corinthians 12:10 Acts 1:8 Ephesians 3:20 – 21

Now my beloved ones, I have saved these most important truths for last: Be supernaturally infused with strength through your life-union with the Lord Jesus. Stand victorious with the force of his explosive power flowing in and through you.
Put on God’s complete set of armor provided for us, so that you will be protected as you fight against the evil strategies of the accuser! Your hand-to-hand combat is not with human beings, but with the highest principalities and authorities operating in rebellion under the heavenly realms. For they are a powerful class of demon-gods and evil spirits that hold this dark world in bondage. Because of this, you must wear all the armor that God provides so you’re protected as you confront the slanderer, for you are destined for all things and will rise victorious.
Put on truth as a belt to strengthen you to stand in triumph. Put on holiness as the protective armor that covers your heart. Stand on your feet alert, then you’ll always be ready to share the blessings of peace.
In every battle take faith as your wrap-around shield for it is able to extinguish the blazing arrows coming at you from the Evil One! Embrace the power of salvation’s full deliverance, like a helmet to protect your thoughts from lies. And take the mighty razor-sharp Spirit-sword of the spoken Word of God.
Pray passionately in the Spirit, as you constantly intercede with every form of prayer at all times. Pray the blessings of God upon all his believers. Ephesians 6:10 – 18 TPT

May you be refreshed, encouraged, and Blessed today, in Jesus’ name.

My YouTube Channel Playlist – Songs of Encouragement for The Power Of Perseverance