Perseverance's Work

“By faith…he persevered because he saw him who is invisible.” Hebrews 11:27

Everyone has lost something at one time or another. Whether it is a piece of jewelry, keys, money or something else a search is always involved. Many times the success of the discovery is due to the light shining a specific way on the item. Due to the angle of the item and reflection of the light the discovery is made. This morning this little verse has been my find as the Son cast His light on this treasure.

We all experience circumstances in our lives that dominate our mind and heart demanding our season of wait. They are trials that consume us but offer no resolution in sight. This is where our faith is being refined and perfected. It is where God is doing His work in preparing us for service, and building in us a wall of faith.

Throughout the Bible perseverance is highly commended and developed by God. ‘…because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.’ Romans 5:3-4; ‘…because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.’ James 1:4; ‘…let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith…’ Hebrews 12:1-2.

Our original verse is speaking of one whose faith was commended because of his understanding that God in His invisibility is more faithful and trustworthy than any visible focus. When we ask for greater faith we ask for circumstances that will develop our spiritual muscle. In order to strengthen our faith we will be asked to endure…to suffer…to surrender. Jesus writes the story of our faith and how it will be developed. We must see God as our strength trainer and trust that the exercises for which we must endure are essential in our growth and critical to our impact in His kingdom.

We must look to the invisible hand of God to recognize the visible fingerprints of God.