To Have Character Persevere

2 Chronicles 16:9

"For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. In this you have done foolishly; therefore from now on you shall have wars."
NKJV

Romans 5:3-4 "And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope." NKJV

Habakkuk 1:5

"The LORD replied, "Look around at the nations; look and be amazed! For I am doing something in your own day, something you wouldn't believe even if someone told you about it."
NLT

1 Peter 1:6

"In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials,"
NKJV

2 Peter 3:14

"Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless;"
NKJV

Revelation 21:2 "Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. " NKJV

My Comments: We know where we are bound to and it is a beautiful place yet because we have our home there does not mean we will have an easy time of life here. In fact because we are His we will have many trials and tribulations. Did Jesus not have them? Can we expect our lives to be easier than our Lord’s? We are bought with a price this free gift to us yet because we are His we have to grow. To grow we will have things happen in our lives and around us that will challenge and stretch us as we mature in the Love and wisdom of Jesus.

Yet not only in our lives but the lives of all people in the world. He loves all people and sometimes the things that go on in a persons life helps to grow them yet it may also be to bring the unsaved to Him. He goes everywhere and sees everything and knows best how to address all things. We can trust Him, have faith in Him and even call on Him when things are harder than we think we can bear. Often people say, “He gives us no more than we can bear.” The Bible tells us He allows us to have more than we can bear so we will call on Him and He will help us to go through it. He may not take it away yet He will be there in the midst of it with us and if we keep our eyes on Him, He will work it out for the best.

I like how it is put in Romans 5:3-4 "And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.” It shows me that when I continue on in my tribulations (if you have been reading my blog for awhile you know there have been many as maybe you have had) and I know if I keep my eyes on the Lord and not on my problems, then I will persevere, have character and always have hope. In the world we will see many horrible things happening.

Watch the news anytime of the day or night and we see and hear of these things more and more. Yet we are not to fear because we know where we are headed and who is here to go through everything with us and we will grow in our faith, hope and build character as we persevere.

Abba Father, thank You for the challenges of life. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit so we will grow in knowledge and understanding and be equipped to work in all situations of life.

Jesus, our Lord and Savior, thank You for always being there to go through the challenges of life and those things that are thrown at us. Thank You for holding us up during the hard times of life. Thank You for loving us so much You went to the Cross for us. Thank You for Your example of how to serve and how to live our lives for the glory of Abba Father.

Holy Spirit thank You for filling us with the skills and knowledge we need to persevere and grow so we will bring glory to Abba Father at all times.

In Jesus name in union with the Holy Spirit, we pray. Amen.

Rebishka