Perseverance

Perseverance

By faith he [Moses] left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible.

Hebrews 11:27, NIV

We often think of perseverance as straining and gritting our teeth to get a job done. We’re correct in realizing that a person who perseveres is not a person who quits and that diligence and persistence are necessary for achieving our goals and living out our beliefs. But too often we act as though all the strength to persevere must come from us. Remembering that we are not our only resource for perseverance is wonderfully encouraging.

One day a little boy was trying to take the lid off of a peanut-butter jar. The little guy was wincing and straining, but he couldn’t make the lid budge. His mom smiled and said, “Are you using all of your strength?”

“Yes, Mommy, I’m using all of my strength!”

“I don’t think you are,” his mom replied, “because you haven’t asked me to help you! I’m your mom, and I’m happy to share my strength with you.”

Sometimes we’re like that little boy. But when we see how small we are and how big God is, we’re prompted to run to him. When we do, we experience his great power to help us. Moses remembered the God who spoke to him in the burning bush. He remembered the God who changed a rod into a serpent. And when the time came for Moses to do the very hard task of leaving Egypt and leading his people, “he persevered because he saw him who is invisible.”

Father,

Thank you for your great strength. May we continue to persevere because we are looking to you. May we encourage our children to look to you for strength as well. Amen.