I Can Take It!

Today's Verse:

Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. ~2 Timothy 2:10 

---

“Ironman” events are part of a series of tests to determine a person’s endurance ability. In these events, a person is tested in strength, staying power, determination, and the willpower to finish. To win an event is quite an achievement. To finish an event makes a contestant someone who surpasses others when it comes to endurance ability. When it comes to endurance, how much can you take? 

We see the principle in endurance. 

Endurance is being able to go an entire distance. It is the ability to say "no" to pain, weariness, and difficulty. It stays positive when criticism comes, intensifies, and wears away at you. It is staying focused when unforeseen setbacks put us in a state of questioning and uncertainty. It is having faith when everything around you seems to be failing. It is remaining faithful in spite of hateful rejection. It is moving with a limp even though you are hurting badly. It is staying in the race to finish it even though you are way in the back. It is not quitting even if you are the only one taking a stand. 

We see the priority in endurance. 

We see two things. First, we are to endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. Second, we must endure all things for the elect’s sake. We must endure because we have a war to win, a race to finish, and a Savior Who is to be glorified. God did not save us to be quitters. He saved us so that His grace could be made perfect in our lives. We can endure all things because “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheth me.” We can endure all things because God is for us and not against us. We can endure all things because “greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” Paul reminds us of men who once labored with him, but they lacked endurance and failed. Endurance is a must in the Christian life. 

We see the promise for endurance. 

“It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.” Paul said it is a faithful saying: this is God’s promise to us in spite of the difficulties, the darkness, and the pain. No matter what advantage the enemy might have over us, we shall live with Him. No matter how much we suffer, we shall reign with Him. Even when our faith is small, weak, or non-existent, He is still faithful to us. As I think about 2 Timothy 2:11-13, these are words that encourage me to keep going. 

We see the purpose in endurance. 

“Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.” Paul endured because there were scores of believers who were watching him. He knew if he wilted and gave up, this would lead to a wide-scale failure on the part of many believers. He kept going because he wanted to be a model for others to keep going. Paul was committed to endurance. His life told others, “I can take it, and so can you.” He endured because he wanted others to finish their race well. He wanted others to stand in approval before the Lord one day in eternity. 

Be someone who endures because there are others who have their eyes on you. Be a model of endurance so that others can finish their race. Endure all things. Don’t be a quitter! Be someone whose testimony clearly says, “I can take it.” 

Have a strengthened God Morning! 

Bible Reading Schedule: Ezekiel 5-8

#2Timothy #Endurance