May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.
2 Thessalonians 3:5 NIV
Christ’s Perseverance
In their 2010 documentary film Mighty Jerome, The National Film Board tells the story of Harry Jerome. In 1959, at just 19, Jerome was Canada’s most promising track and field star on his way to the Olympics in Rome. By 1962, after suffering a gruesome leg injury, there was every reason to think that his racing days were over. But Jerome was not just a champion on the track; he was doubly determined off it. And so began his climb to what his coach, Bill Bowerman, called “the greatest comeback in track and field history.”
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How do you respond when challenging times come? Some people just give up and quit. Others bear up under the challenge, but with fear. We need to look to Jesus to see how His followers ought to react to tough times. The apostle Paul writes this in 2 Thessalonians 3:5: “May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.” When the tough times come, notice what Paul teaches about overcoming. We cannot win the battles in our own strength. When you feel overwhelmed, the first thing to do, Paul says, is to direct your heart into God’s love. Pray that you will have a fresh revelation of just how much the Lord Jesus loves you. He is with you, empowering you to stand against anything that is coming against you. Second, Paul says that we must direct our hearts to Christ’s perseverance. Jesus’ walk to the cross wasn’t an easy one, but for the joy set before Him, he endured it all. So will we as we trust Jesus through the tough times and watch His endurance empower us to victory as well. What a promise.
These have been words from the heart.
Bob Beasley