Take Hold Of Endurance

Take Hold of Endurance (2 Tim. 3:1; 10-17; 4:5-8) God’s word tell us difficult times WILL (not may) come. (1 Tim. 3:1) Chalepos kairos, the Greek terms translated “difficult times” mean hard, dangerous, fierce, perilous, menacing, times or seasons, involving suffering, deprivation, persecution and even death (See 1 Cor. 4:11) These times will involve the truth being rejected in favor of various deceptions (2 Tim. 3:13; 4:3; 1 Tim. 4:1 & 2; 2 Pe. 3:3) Likewise, it tells us that all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus WILL be persecuted. (1 Tim. 3:12; Matt. 10:22; 23:24; John 15:19; 17:14; Heb. 11:36-38) Yet we can bring glory to God in our suffering (1 Pe. 4:12-16) Godly people arouse the hatred of worldly people (Acts 13:45, 50; 14:2, 5, 6 & 19; 23:12-15; Ps. 37:12) Peter endured such times, facing beatings, flogging, stoning, etc. (See 2 Cor. 11:23-27) But none of this shall separate us from the love Jesus (Rom. 8:35-37) We will have to endure such times. Hupomene, The Greek word translated “endurance” means to bear up under pressure, remain loyal and steadfast, be patient and hopeful, refuse to quit. Endurance/Perseverance/Fortitude - steadfast determination to continue on despite adversity usually over a long period of time. The source of such endurance is faith in the reality, love and power of Our loving Father. (See 2 Cor. 4:8-11) God will be with and empower His own (2 Tim. 4:17; Isa. 41:10 & 14; 43:2; Jer. 1:19; Acts 26:22; 1 Pe. 5:10) God will deliver His own (2 Tim. 4:18; 2 Sam. 22:1 & 49; Job 5:19 & 20; Ps. 34:19; 37:40; 91:3; Dan. 6:27; Acts 26:17; 2 Cor. 1:10; 2 Pe. 2:9) Hold on to the hope of God’s countenance/presence (Ps 42:5& 11; Joshua 1:9; Rom. 4:20-24; Num. 6:26) Heb., yachal, hope, wait, desire with expectation (Lam. 3:25-26) Expect God to act (Ps. 42:11)

Demonstrate confidence in God by continuing in praise & good works (Ps. 71:14; Gal. 6:9) We are told to rejoice always (Isa. 61:10-11, 1 Thes. 5:16, Phil. 4:4) The knowledge of the truth will allow us to maintain joy despite our circumstances (John 16:33; Hab. 3:17-18)

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Paul understood what it meant to rejoice in difficult circumstances (Acts 16:22-34, Beaten, imprisoned, yet sang songs of also Acts 28:17-20, 30; Phil. 1:13-14; Rom. 5:1-5) Joy is internal, based on true faith and not dependent upon circumstances. Heb. simchah means "gladness of heart," Gk., chara means "inner delight."

Some other Biblical References on endurance/perseverance: Job 17:9a, the righteous one holds fast to his way; Hos. 12:6b, endure to the end, John 8:31-32, 2 Cor. 13:5, keep proving yourself; Gal. 5:1–4, stand fast; Gal. 6:9, do not give up in doing what is fine; Phil. 1:27, stand firm, striving side by side; Phil. 4:1, stand firm; 1 Thes. 5:21, hold fast to what is fine; 2 Thes. 2:15–17, stand firm, maintain your hold; 1 Tim. 6:11–12, pursue endurance; 2 Tim. 2:12, go on enduring; 2 Tim. 3:14, continue in the things you have learned; 2 Tim. 4:7–8, fight the fine fight, finish the course; Heb. 2:1, pay attention to what you have heard that you not drift away; Heb. 3:14, make fast your hold to the end; Heb. 10:23, 35–36, hold fast to the declaration of our hope, you have need of endurance; James 1:2-4, perseverance must finish its work, 2 Pet. 3:17, do not fall from steadfastness. "When the morning’s freshness has been replaced by the weariness of midday, when the leg muscles quiver under the strain, the climb seems endless, and suddenly nothing will go quite as you wish--it is then that you must not hesitate.” - Dag Hammarskjold, former U.N. Secretary General “Nothing in the world can take the place of perseverance. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.” - President Calvin Coolidge

"Failure is only postponed success as long as courage 'coaches' ambition. The habit of persistence is the habit of victory." - Herbert Kaufman (American writer and newspaperman) Faithfully enduring such difficulties will lead to a heavenly reward (2: Tim. 4:8; Matt. 5:10-12; See also Phil. 3:12–15, keep your eyes on the prize; James 1:12, happy is the man that keeps enduring, he will receive the crown of life God promised; 2 Pe. 1:10-11, keep on, you will not fail and you will gain entrance to the kingdom; Rev. 2:10, prove yourself faithful even to death and I will give you a crown of life; Rev. 3:11-12, keep on holding fast that no one may take your crown) Calvin called perseverance “continuance in grace” based on the “certainty of salvation” as one of God’s elect. All Scripture is inspired of God (Theopneustos, Gk. = God-breathed) (2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:21; 2 Sam. 23:2) and profitable for: Teaching truth (Rom. 15:14, that we might have hope) Rebuking – to reform unto life (Prov. 6:23) Correcting – to restore, to make right or whole again Training in Righteousness (Godly living) So that the “man of God” may be complete, equipped for every good work. (1 Tim. 3:17) We were created to perform such good works (Matt. 5:16; Eph. 2:10; Col.1:10; James 1:22-25)