By Pastor Jim Erb
Been under attack lately? Many have. I have a prayer CD I listen to frequently. The last song on it is sung by a lady who seems to be singing about some vision she is experiencing. In it she sees an enemy army pursuing a group of God’s people, backing them up against a body of water. They were trapped, much like the Israelites in the Old Testament chased by Pharaoh’s army.
At that point God “opened the heavens” and placed a staff, like Moses’ rod of authority, into the hands of each of his children. Then He shouted from heaven, “Let My people go!” The people of God then stretched out their staffs over the body of water and it opened up, as in the Red Sea incident. They walked over on dry ground. The sea in the vision represented all the things Satan had been throwing at God’s people to keep them from advancing on in God’s purposes. When they reached the other side, they quickly entered the land of “Promises Fulfilled” — no wandering in the wilderness for 40 years as did the Israelites.
I believe that is a picture of what has been happening to many of God’s children in recent weeks. Our enemy seems to be aware that his time is short and he also fears what God is about to do in and through His church. So he has been unleashing his big guns, as it were, on many. God, however, wants to raise the level of authority to be exercised by His people in the battle. The Apostle Paul’s admonition to the Roman Christians in His day applies. Romans 16:20 says “... The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.”
Here is Paul’s advice to help you get through the battle to victory. Romans 5:2-5 — “We exult in the hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulation, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit. ...”
Paul doesn’t say we rejoice for our tribulations, rather in them. Our tribulations don’t change who God is. He is still sovereign, knowing where He is going and where He is taking us. Specifically he says we can rejoice in tribulation because it brings about perseverance which produces Christlike character — so we can look like, act like and behave like Christ. That in turn produces hope which doesn’t disappoint because it is based on truth.
This seems to be the formula for pressing on into the hope of glory. One word in the formula doesn’t go down too well with most of us. That is perseverance. Perseverance means continued pursuit; continually staying on a course of action; having a strong belief in a purpose in spite of obstacles and discouragements so that we press on. It is not just hanging in there, a sort of grin-and-bear-it attitude. It is forward movement into promises fulfilled, expanded purposes, pursuit with a purpose. It is the hard work you do after you finished the hard work you have already done. Many of us stop when we tire. We pray, fast, bind, loosen, believe, proclaim, etc. When we don’t see breakthrough we throw in the towel. BUT this is where perseverance begins.
We haven’t been taught much about perseverance, especially the younger generation who are accustomed to having all things available at the push of some button.
We have been taught radical faith that gets things right now. We have been taught that the will of God is easy. We have mastered the art of getting what we want with as little energy spent as possible. Now is the season to learn about perseverance. It is key to breakthrough to end time purpose and the hope of glory.
So hang in there, good things, glorious things may be just around the corner.
Pastor Jim Erb is overseer of Antioch International Ministries.
