What Is Perseverance? Part 1

This is the first message of the series on perseverance. Today will be only an introduction to the subject. The words of Jeremiah of the Old Testament and Paul of the New Testament will be considered.

One of the great texts of Scripture on the subject of perseverance is Jeremiah 12:5 and 6—“If you have run with footmen and they have tired you out, Then how can you compete with horses? If you fall down in a land of peace, How will you do in the thicket of the Jordan? For even your brothers and the household of your father, Even they have dealt treacherously with you, Even they have cried aloud after you. Do not believe them, although they may say nice things to you” (NASB). Perseverance is the real test in the life of a person who says he is a Christian. It is not so important how one runs at the beginning of his profession of faith, but it is very important at the conclusion of the race. In a few statements, Paul gives a good summary of the Christian’s race. He said to the Corinthians, “…I run in such a way, as not without aim [not without a goal in mind]…” (I Cor. 9:26 NASB). In his farewell address to the Ephesians, he said, “But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, in order that I may finish my course…” (Acts 20:24 NASB). To the Philippian saints, Paul said, “Holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may have cause to glory because I did not run in vain…” (Phil. 2:16 NASB). In his final letter to Timothy, he wrote, “…I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing” (II Tim. 4:7, 8 NASB).

We all have known what it is to do something by stirring words of admonition, but motivation of this kind apart from the starting line of grace will not give power for perseverance. Such incentive is nothing more than a whip that cracks with a loud noise. Christ must command the heart for endurance. The attraction of Jesus Christ in the race is the only incentive for endurance. “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb. 12:1, 2 NASB).

Jeremiah was a sensitive prophet. He was hated by the very people to whom he had been sent to preach. Every man of God called to preach can bear witness to Jeremiah’s statement in Chapter 11:18-23—“Moreover, the LORD made it known to me and I knew it; Then Thou didst show me their deeds. But I was like a gentle lamb led to the slaughter; And I did not know that they had devised plots against me, saying, Let us destroy the tree with its fruit, And let us cut him off from the land of the living, That his name be remembered no more. But, O LORD of hosts, who judges righteously, Who tries the feelings and the heart, Let me see Thy vengeance on them, For to Thee have I committed my cause. Therefore thus says the LORD concerning the men of Anathoth, who seek your life, saying, Do not prophesy in the name of the LORD, that you might not die at our hand; therefore, thus says the LORD of hosts, Behold, I am about to punish them! The young men will die by the sword, their sons and daughters will die by famine; and a remnant will not be left to them, for I will bring disaster on the men of Anathoth—the year of their punishment” (NASB).

It took a tenderhearted man like Jeremiah to deliver such a strong message on judgment. Jeremiah ministered to the men inside Jerusalem while Ezekiel ministered to the Jews outside the city. In his Lamentations, Jeremiah said, “Is it nothing to all you who pass this way? Look and see if there is any pain [sorrow] like my pain Which was severely dealt out to me, Which the LORD inflicted on the day of His fierce anger” (Lam. 1:12 NASB).

The prophet Jeremiah was making a visit to Anathoth (means affliction). It was the prophet’s hometown which was only a few miles from Jerusalem. He was ignorant of the danger. However, God’s providential care overshadowed the prophet in the time of his ignorance. His contact with the men of Anathoth was a small thing in comparison to what he was about to experience. He would look back on that encounter as “a land of peace” in comparison to a horrible war. He would go from a foot race to a horse race and from open plains to the jungle of Jordan.

Jeremiah began his ministry with recognition of God’s righteousness and justice in His dealings with Israel and the nations of the world. God sends judgments upon the nations because of sin, and He sends afflictions on His chosen people to reclaim the backsliders, to test their faith, and to display His grace before a world that lies in the power of the evil one (I John 5:19). Therefore, the encounter the prophet had with the men of Anathoth was a small thing in comparison to what he was about to experience.

Jeremiah, whose name means “God will cast forth,” carried on a dangerous ministry. His people were besieged, captured, and enslaved. In return for his faithfulness, Jeremiah received nothing but threatenings and persecution. This is a brief summary of his persecutions: 1. He was opposed by his brethren. “For even your brothers and the household of your father, Even they have dealt treacherously with you, Even they have cried aloud after you…” (Jer. 12:6 NASB). 2. He was like a lamb before the slaughter (Jer. 11:19). 3. Jerusalem conspired against him. “Then they said, Come and let us devise plans against Jeremiah. Surely the law is not going to be lost to the priest, nor counsel to the sage, nor the divine word to the prophet! Come on and let us strike at him with our tongue, and let us give no heed to any of his words” (Jer. 18:18 NASB). 4. He was beaten and imprisoned. “Pashhur [the priest] had Jeremiah the prophet beaten, and put him in the stocks that were at the upper Benjamin Gate, which was by the house of the LORD. Then it came about on the next day, when Pashhur released Jeremiah from the stocks, that Jeremiah said to him, Pashhur is not the name the LORD has called you, but rather Magor-missabib [terror on every side]. For thus says the LORD, Behold, I am going to make you a terror to yourself and to all your friends; and while your eyes look on, they will fall by the sword of their enemies. So I shall give over all Judah to the hand of the king of Babylon, and he will carry them away as exiles to Babylon and will slay them with the sword” (Jer. 20:2-4 NASB). 5. He was opposed by false prophets. “Moreover, among the prophets of Samaria I saw an offensive thing: They prophesied by Baal and led My people Israel astray….Do not listen to the words of the prophets who are prophesying to you. They are leading you into futility; They speak a vision of their own imagination, Not from the mouth of the LORD” (Jer. 23:13, 16 NASB). 6. Jeremiah was attacked by an angry mob who thought he must die. “And when Jeremiah finished speaking all that the LORD had commanded him to speak to all the people, the priests and the prophets and all the people seized him, saying, You must die!” (Jer. 26:8 NASB). 7. The prophet was thrown into a cistern turned into a mud pit (Jer. 38:6). 8. The prophet was carried by his countrymen into Egypt where he was stoned to death (Jer. 43:1-7; Lam. 3:53).

True men of God will not be deterred by opposition from declaring the judgments, as well as the mercies, of God. Jeremiah learned that trials are progressive. Each trial is preparation for one that is more severe.

If a mere profession of faith is not equal for ordinary trials, what will the professor do when he faces extraordinary trials? If one weakens before dwarfs, what will he do when he faces giants? Furthermore, if a believer cannot endure cruel words because of his God-given faith in Jesus Christ, what will he do when he receives wounds for Christ? The answer Jeremiah needed was given to him in Jeremiah 12:5 and 6. The progressive character of his trials was also given in this passage of Scripture. First, we have the footmen versus the horses. The footmen refer to the men of Anathoth. The horses refer to the rulers of Jerusalem, who would be worse than the men of Anathoth. The “land of peace” versus the “jungle of Jordan” is also mentioned. The land of peace refers to his own village (his trusted friends) verses the jungle of Jordan. God showed the prophet that both the righteous and wicked would suffer the woes that were to be poured out upon Judah. The question was, How will you do then? The righteous suffer with the wicked; but thank God for grace in the righteous, because it will be sufficient to meet their need. “No temptation [could also be translated trial] has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted [or tried] beyond what you are able; but with the temptation [trial] will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it” (I Cor. 10:13 NASB).

The prosperity of the wicked has always been a riddle to people of God. Job asked, “Why do the wicked still live, Continue on, also become very powerful?” (Job 21:7 NASB). Then he said, “They spend their days in prosperity, And suddenly they go down to Sheol [the nether world]” (Job 21:13 NASB). David said, “Do not fret because of evildoers, Be not envious toward wrongdoers. For they will wither quickly like the grass, And fade like the green herb” (Ps. 37:1, 2 NASB). In Psalm 73, Asaph said, “For I was envious of the arrogant, As I saw the prosperity of the wicked (v. 3). When I pondered to understand this, It was troublesome in my sight until I came into the sanctuary of God; Then I perceived their end. Surely Thou dost set them in slippery places; Thou dost cast them down to destruction (vv. 16-18). When my heart was embittered, And I was pierced within, Then I was senseless and ignorant; I was like a beast before Thee. Nevertheless I am continually with Thee; Thou hast taken hold of my right hand. With Thy counsel Thou wilt guide me, And afterward receive me to glory” (vv. 21-24 NASB).

Jeremiah began with the recognition of God’s righteousness and justice in His providential dealings with Israel and the nations of the world. Providence is activity arising from foresight. God’s providence is the use of the things He created. He does not withdraw His control from anything He creates. If He did it would fall apart. The same is true in reference to the security of His people. God not only protects His own (I Pet. 1:5), but He makes the wrath of man to praise Him (Ps. 76:10).

Nothing in time takes God by surprise. For whatever is done in time, there was a purpose for it in eternity. What predestination designed, providence executes. Predestination is the Bible view. It gives all the glory to God. “For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen” (Rom. 11:36 NASB).

The final test in Christianity is perseverance. All blossoms do not ripen into fruit. Likewise, all who profess faith in Christ do not persevere to the end. Christ said to the disciples, “…For this reason I have said to you, that no one can come to Me, unless it has been granted him from the Father. As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew, and were not walking with Him anymore. Jesus said therefore to the twelve, You do not want to go away also, do you? Simon Peter answered Him. Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life. And we have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God” (John 6:65-69 NASB). In his first Epistle, John said, “They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, in order that it might be shown that they all are not of us. But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you all know. I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it, and because no lie is of the truth” (I John 2:19-21 NASB).

You will be both tested and tempted. “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation [trial] has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted [tried or tested] beyond what you are able, but with the temptation [trial] will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it. Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry” (I Cor. 10:12-14 NASB). He begins with an admonition, gives something comforting, and concludes with another admonition. Note where this passage is found and the basis for the argument that Paul gives. Read the passage that precedes—I Corinthians 9:21-10:11. Also read I Peter 1:1-5. We do endure and persevere because we are preserved by God’s grace for that experience.