Faithful to the end. Persevering through the tough times. Staying the course. Those are all wonderful phrases we use when trying to encourage another when they begin to hit the wall. At the Boston Marathon, "encourager's" line the path at Heartbreak Hill where so many would be marathoners suddenly face a new challenge (like the entire race would't be the challenge). The "encourager's" attempt to motivate, galvanize, strengthen the runners to keep on going...the end is almost in site.
I admire those who seem to keep walking through the walls, obstacles, and desert experiences. They seem to have their eyes on a goal. They will not be defeated. They will overcome. Somewhere deep inside is a belief system that wills them to keep putting one foot in front of the other.
For some situations I can understand the will power and hurdling mentality, but for some situations I do not understand why and how. When I turn the pages of the Bible I see those who made it through to the other side. Some kept fighting and never found relief. At the last section of chapter 11 in the letter to the Hebrews, the author paints a portrait of real perseverance. Take a look at the situations:
"And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets - who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received back their dead by resurrection. some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated - of whom the world was not worthy - wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth."
"And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect."
There was a promise of a better life with God. They did not necessarily know what that meant, they simply held on with the power of God. May each of us hold on when we'd like to let go. May we lean on God for our strength and persevere when heartbreak hill approaches. He is faithful and will never let go.
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