Endurance Test (or For Faith's Athletes and Soldiers)

Some people pick a 'word of the year' at the beginning of each year

to focus on and learn from throughout the year ahead...

I never have but it dawned on me recently that in the past year

I have pondered one word more than ever before. 

This word is 'endure'.

To endure is to remain faithful at all cost!

To endure we cannot quit!

just as it is impossible to endure without conscious effort

 a physical workout,  so too, the spiritual!

I am so thankful for a patient and forgiving Heavenly Father!

Ps.36:7-9

How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God!
Therefore the children of men put their trust 

under the shadow of Your wings.
They are abundantly satisfied 

with the fullness of Your house,
And You give them drink 

from the river of Your pleasures.
For with You is the fountain of life;
In Your light we see light.

Matt.24. 12-13

And because lawlessness will abound, 

the love of many will grow cold.

 13But he who endures to the end shall be saved.

2 Tim.2:3

You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ

Hebrews 12:1-3
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses,

 let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles,

 and let us run with endurance the race set out for us. 

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith,

 who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, 

scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 

 Consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners,

 so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

True believers are athletes and soldiers for Christ.

Each day tests faith's fitness and endurance!

Without the whole armour of God we will be unable to

withstand the enemy!

The gift of salvation is not a

kick-back-and-relax,

eat-drink-and-be-merry grace!!

It is warfare

It is a grueling race!

It is not for the faint of heart and soul.

It is impossible without God!

It demands time-out

with head bowed,

to 'be still and know that He is God!' Ps.46:10

It is He who 'restores our souls'! Ps.23

from His rivers of pleasure

and fountain of life! Ps.36:8-9

Want is a great enemy unless it is the

meek want to endure ruthless rivalry

as we 'trust in His holy name'  Ps.33:21

Lord, empower us daily with this declaration of old from Ps. 23

The Lord is my Shepherd;

I shall not want'

Summer's garden offers a smorgasbord of delights,

...but these pale in comparison to what Christ offers through his Word and Spirit.

Want wars with faith, with hope and love

It roars with 'never quite enough'

'Come unto Me' the Saviour pleads

My strength and rest supplies Thy needs

This world unfurls glitter and noise

It boasts a smorgasbord of joys

Each one a wind that passes by

Each one helpless to satisfy

Want tests the will of humankind

Who we love best, heart-soul-and-mind

It tries endurance without pause

Till we too cry, 'Lord, plead my cause' Ps.35

Thy Word, oh Lord, restores the saint

It giveth power to the faint Isa.40:29

It fixes eyes on faith's reward

Endurance waits upon the Lord

 Then casts off  sin's encum'bring snare

For these hinder the gates of  prayer

Where God rallies faith's troops again

To run with endurance. Amen

Do not lose heart; do not despair

But cast upon the LORD each care

Remember when rivals molest

This is but faith's endurance test

© Janet Martin 

Rivals come in all shapes and sizes...

Some bold and blaring;

some like sneaky little foxes!

Let's faithfully seek and trust God who cares for us! 

Let Us Run by Alex MacQueen (Sung by Christina Macmillan)

Oh!! and last but not least... Happy August!