It is only natural that if someone is told that they need something, that they should first know what the meaning of it is. “Endurance” is define as the ability or power to bear prolonged exertion, pain, or hardship; toleration of prolonged suffering or hardship. Somehow this is not an attribute which any would normally long to appropriate, as it is acquired only by the test of time, through hardships and sufferings, which seem never to come to an end. However, the above Scripture assures us that we have need of it in order for the will of God to be performed in our lives.
Any product before use on the open market has to have an evaluation, testing, and proof of its true value; the least short-fall or deficiency sends it back to the recycle bin. And in some way, so it is with anyone who desires to fulfill the purpose for which they are created and called into the Lord’s service. Any corporation would be more than thrilled to have a polished and totally accomplished and dependable young recruit, on his first day on the job and first assignment, come and be part of their company; but even if they ever did find such a gem, it would not be in their best interest to place him as head of their company on his first day.
In 1 Chronicles 16: 9: we read, “For the Eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.”Based on this Word, we know that once the Lord has found such a one whose heart is completely His, that He places all of Heaven’s support towards him. King David comes to mind as one whom the Lord chose and confirmed at a very young age, and yet as we follow his life through the Scriptures, we see the prolonged years of hardship and betrayal he suffered before he ascended to the Throne.
King David tells us some of the trials which he underwent as part of his formation to becoming King, in Psalm 3: 1: “O Lord, how my adversaries have increased! How many are rising against me.” In Psalm 22: 10 – 11: “Upon Thee I was cast from birth; Thou hast been my God from my mother’s womb. Be not far off for trouble is near; for there is none to help. Psalm 9: 9 – 10: “The Lord will be a Stronghold for the oppressed, and a stronghold in the times of trouble, and those who know Thy Name will put their trust in Thee; for Thou, O Lord, hast not forsaken those who seek Thee.” Psalm 18: 18 – 19: “They confronted me in the day of my calamity, but the Lord was my Stay. He brought me forth also into a broad place; He rescued me because He delighted in me.” Psalm 58: 11: “And men will say, “Surely there is a reward for the righteous; surely there is a God Who judges on earth.”
Dearest Holy Lord Jesus: thank You that You know that we have need of endurance, mostly because we can identify with Your suffering, and be made into a people of compassion, which is not something we are naturally of ourselves. Come by Your Holy Spirit, and fill us afresh with Your Gift of self-control, so we may endure until the fullness of your dealings in our lives, for the purpose and requirement You are seeking in us. Glory to You alone!