Revelation 14:12 – This calls for patient endurance on the part of the people of God who keep his commands and remain faithful to Jesus.

Just a quick thought for today from our reading.  There is a good deal of life (Christian or otherwise) that falls into the category of “calls for patient endurance”.

None of us like it.  And, we’re not really good at it.  But there it is staring us in the face.

I know we all know what patient endurance means.  But it is sometimes helpful to break the words apart and look at their definitions.

Patient is defined as: bearing provocation, annoyance, misfortune, delay, hardship, pain, etc…, with fortitude and calm and without complaint, anger, or the like.

The definition of endurance is:  the ability or strength to continue or last, despite fatigue, stress, or other adverse conditions; stamina

What a combination!!  The person possessing this would seem unbreakable.

We are invited and instructed not just to endure, but to endure patiently.  The flip side of that we are not just to have patience, but we are to couple it with endurance.

The Scriptures are holding up a massive warning sign, “DANGER, ROUGH WATERS AHEAD!!  IT WILL BE DIFFICULT AND PAINFUL AND YOU WILL BE TEMPTED TO GIVE UP, BUT DON’T.”

The key to patiently enduring anything is the “why”.  What is waiting for us on the other side of this difficulty and pain?

Mothers patiently endure pregnancy and the pain of childbirth because their baby is on the other side of it.  Athletes patiently endure all the bumps, bruises, and injuries because there is a prize to be had.

Check out Hebrews 12:1-3.  The question becomes, what is the “why” for us?

The promise of life in God and God himself is the “why”.

As a follower of Jesus, patient endurance is a part of your calling.  It doesn’t have to be your favorite part. But if we fix our eyes on Jesus, our lives will be characterized by patient endurance and…we win.

See you tomorrow.