When we look at the Bible, there are many example of persons who Stand firm and finish strong. Some of them are Job, Jacob, Joseph, Apostle Paul, Jesus, and the list goes on.
Life is a race (look at my previous article “Run the Race” in this blog). We are His chosen people, we destined to win! With Jesus, we are more than conqueror! God wants us to win; He wants us to finish strong!What we have to do to win? .... We must persevere if we are to win. We need perseverance.
Let’s look at what dictionaries said.
What is PERSEVERANCE? ...1. It’s persistence, determination, firmness of purpose, patience, endurance, tirelessness, staying power, diligence, dedication, commitment, steadfastness, stamina. (The NEW OXFORD Thesaurus of ENGLISH)
2. It is steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success. (The NEW OXFORD Dictionary OF ENGLISH) PERSEVERE it self is:Persist, continue, carry on, go on, keep on, keep going, not give up, struggle on, hammer away, be persistent, be determined, see/follow something through, keep at it, show determination, press on/ahead, stay with something, not take no for an answer, be tenacious, be pertinacious, be patient, stand one's ground, stand fast/firm, hold on, hold out, go the distance, stay the course, plod on, plough on, grind away, stop at nothing, leave no stone unturned..... (The NEW OXFORD Thesaurus of ENGLISH)
--> Perseverance is doing what it takes to finish strong! God wants us to finish strong! In order to finish strong, we need to be a high-quality person, so —in our life journey— when God brings us to walk thru the valleys, to climb to the mountains tops, we still stand firm. When God brings us thru the fire, or thru the flood, we still can praise Him with our joyful and thankful heart (while we still hold on steadfastly to His Words and promises) Jesus is the perfect example of the high-quality person, what is the ‘secret’ of Jesus’ quality?
--> His close relationship with His Heavenly Father.
Let’s follow that perfect example, by having a close relationship with our Heavenly Father.
Anyway, let's imagine, suppose our life is pair of shoes that God use daily. What kinda shoes you would like to be for God?
You want to be pretty cool, eye-catching shoes, cheap (because it’s just a fake, famous-designer’-shoes-wanna-be) ....but poor in quality. (in Indonesian language : ‘murah meriah, tapi kelihatan keren banget dan persis sepatu dari desainer ngetop’).
--> When God uses this kinda shoes, His feet will feel very uncomfortable (plus bonus: painful and annoying blister!) and when He uses it in the rain, soon it will perforate like hippopotamus’ yawn. (in Indonesian language: kayak kuda nil yang angop!!)
Or... you want to be a high quality shoes, with simple design (but still looks good)...and very comfortable to be used daily in all kinda fields? What kinda shoes that God would like to choose for His wonderful and glorious journey? Let’s become a high quality person, by having a close and deep relationship with God, so that we can stand firm under any pressure, any temptation, any oppression/injustice...and FINISH STRONG!I desire that in the end, just like Apostle Paul, we all can said:
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. (2 Timothy 4:7) With God, we can do it. Impossible is nothing. “Not by Might, not by power, but by My Spirit,” said the Lord. STAND FIRM, especially in these difficult moments when every nations in this world shaking. Make sure that we’ve become citizen of the Unshakable Kingdom of our Almighty God.
ARISE [from the depression and prostration in which circumstances have kept you--rise to a new life]! Shine (be radiant with the glory of the Lord), for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you! For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and dense darkness [all] peoples, but the Lord shall arise upon you, and His glory shall be seen on you. (Isaiah 60:1-2 AMP)
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned or scorched, nor will the flame kindle upon you.. (Isaiah 43:2 )
But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired. (Isaiah 40:31, AMP )Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice. (Isaiah 41:10 , AMP)
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Recently, the words “Stand Firm...Finish Strong!!!” popped up and echoing in my mind. Thanks to Ev. Nani Susanti Tjipto, who confirmed and completed those echoing words by her sermon about QUALITY (in GBI Shekinah, Temanggung, Central Java, Sunday morning, November 2, 2008).
Thousands thanks to Ev. Nani Susanti Tjipto and Ps. Petrus Hadi. So far, you’ve become such a great blessing for me, and the perseverance that I see in your life has inspired me much.
Most of all, my deepest thanks to
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