And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:3-5
Oh how I’ve looked at this word … perseverance. In Greek the word is ὑπομονή, ῆς, ἡ hupomone’ (hoop-om-on-ay) meaning properly, remaining under, endurance; steadfastness, especially as God enables the believer to “remain (endure) under” the challenges He allots in life. When I would ask God why I was experiencing certain ‘tribulations’ and challenges that I certainly didn’t like — the Holy Spirit would often remind me of this above scripture and the one below.
My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord,
Nor detest His correction;
For whom the Lord loves He corrects,
Just as a father the son in whom he delights. Proverbs 3:11-13
Does anyone else get the sense that perseverance will be needed for what is coming in the very near future? If you knew that certain challenges lay ahead of the ones you loved wouldn’t you try to help them prepare and be ready? America and this generation has not really known terrible hardship. We’ve been under such ‘grace’ and prosperity for the last 70 years that entitlement and comfort has made us very soft and weak of spirit, soul, and body. Will this generation be ready to face the consequences of the wonton selfishness and sin for the last 70 years? Or will be whine and complain and say “Woah is us, we never saw this coming”? Or can we know that the Holy Spirit has made us and prepared us for ‘such a time as this’?
Are you willing to go through His pruning process? Are you willing to climb onto His surgical table for Him to do the needed procedures to make you ready for that which He is calling you to? Surrender to Him and humility will be required at greater depths with each step of the way. Will it be easy? NO!! In fact it will require more of Him within you, and greater measures of faith implanted in you by His Spirit. But… you will experience these truths …
For with God nothing will be impossible. Luke 1:37 (key word = with)
and…
He must increase, but I must decrease. John 3:30
Are you already in His training regimen and refining processes? Is the Holy Spirit already asking you to step out in courage and do some things that are well out of your comfort zone? Are you ready to walk away from all of your comforts without complaint? Read the book of Exodus and how the Israelites complained when they were sent out into the wilderness. Can God trust you to go through that kind of challenge and tribulation?
I wish I could write fun and comforting devotionals –but when I sit down and ask Him … this is what pours out.
He loves us SO much – that He gives us challenges to make us ready for what is to come. Do you believe that too? Is He prompting you to get your body ready, and your soul, with spiritual disciplines like fasting and prayer at a level you haven’t experienced before? Is He teaching you how to ‘hear’ Him in the midst of chaos, crisis, and hardship? Is He asking you to purge your souls of unneeded baggage? Is He asking you to develop a strong spirit by following closely the intimate personal instructions of the Holy Spirit in the moment? Is He asking you to trust Him several times a day?
If yes — you are in His ‘boot camp’. Learn well. Listen closely. Keep your eyes on Him.