Don't shrink back
For you have need of
endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was
promised. “For yet in a very little
while, He who is coming will come, and will not delay. But my righteous one will
live by faith; but if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.” But we
are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to
the preserving of the soul.
Hebrews 10:36-39
Jesus encourages to persevere
One of
the synagogue officials named Jairus came up, and on seeing Him, fell at His
feet and implored Him earnestly, saying, "My little daughter is at the
point of death; please come and lay Your hands on her, so that she will get
well and live." As they were walking to Jairus’ house, some came from the
house of the synagogue official, saying, "Your daughter has died; why
trouble the Teacher anymore?" But Jesus, overhearing what was being
spoken, said to the synagogue official, "Do not be afraid any longer, only
believe." And He allowed no one to accompany Him, except Peter and James
and John the brother of James. They came to the house of the synagogue
official; and He saw a commotion, and people loudly weeping and wailing. And
entering in, He said to them, "Why make a commotion and weep? The child
has not died, but is asleep." They began laughing at Him. But putting them
all out, He took along the child's father and mother and His own companions,
and entered the room where the child was. Taking the child by the hand, He said
to her, "Talitha kum!" (which translated means, "Little girl, I
say to you, get up!"). Immediately the girl got up and began to walk, for
she was twelve years old. And immediately they were completely astounded.
Mark 5:22-23, 35-42
Despite hardships, saints endure
And
what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak,
Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, who by faith conquered
kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths
of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from
weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.
Women received back their dead by resurrection; and others were tortured, not
accepting their release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection; and
others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment.
They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to
death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being
destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (men of whom the world was not worthy),
wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground. And all
these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was
promised, because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from
us they would not be made perfect. 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. For consider Him who has endured
such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and
lose heart.
Hebrews 11:32-12:3
Persecutions will come, but remain true
Behold,
I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and
innocent as doves. But beware of men, for they will hand you over to the courts
and scourge you in their synagogues; and you will even be brought before
governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles.
But when they hand you over, do not worry about how or what you are to say; for
it will be given you in that hour what you are to say. For it is not you who
speak, but it is the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you. Brother will
betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up
against parents and cause them to be put to death. You will be hated by all
because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be
saved. But whenever they persecute you in one city, flee to the next; for truly
I say to you, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel until
the Son of Man comes. A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a slave above
his master. It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher, and
the slave like his master. If they have called the head of the house Beelzebul,
how much more will they malign the members of his household!
Matthew 10:16-25
Suffering is the door to the kingdom
'We
must all experience many hardships before we enter the kingdom of God . (NJB)
Acts 14:22
The one who endures to the end will be saved
You
will be hated by all because of My name, but the one who endures to the end, he
will be saved.
Mark 13:13
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