NO BIBLE NO BREAKFAST DAILY BIBLE REFLECTIONS AND MORE

SCRIPTURE READINGS: EXODUS 17:1-7, PHILIPPIANS 2:1-13, MATTHEW 21:23-32

REFLECTION
Persisting to the end is the theme for our reflection. To persist to the end means to continue to do something in a determined way even when facing difficulties or opposition. In the context of our reflection, persisting to the end means being determined to please God and to fulfil His will regardless of the challenges and difficulties. We shall deliberate on the following points
1. We need faith and hope to persist to the end.
2. We need humility and a sense of purpose to persist to the end
3. We need obedience and submission to God’s Word to persist to the end.
4. There is a reward for persisting to the end.

Firstly, in life’s journey and struggles, we need faith and hope in God to persist to the end. Let us not be like the Israelites who failed to have faith and hope in God and to patiently wait for His providence when they were thirsty in the wilderness. “So they quarreled with Moses and said, “Give us water to drink.” Moses replied, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you put the LORD to the test?” ³ But the people were thirsty for water there, and they grumbled against Moses. They said, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?” (Exodus 17:2-3) Beloved in the Lord, we are never immune to the challenges in life but what keeps us to persist to the end is faith and hope in God when we encounter challenges in life. “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Hebrews 11:6) Again Isaiah assures us that “but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:31). Before we begin to grumble let us take time to reflect on the goodness and faithfulness of God to us all these years and be greatly encouraged to trust that “The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it. (1 Thessalonians 5:24). Regardless of the challenges you are facing in life currently, do not give up but have faith and hope and patiently seek the face and intervention of the Lord through prayer and a positive attitude. We must learn to declare boldly in the face of challenges that “I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the LORD has done.” (Psalms 118:17). Indeed, “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalms 23:4). We must declare with the psalmist that “A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. ⁸ You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. (Psalms 91:7-8). Dear friend this is the faith and hope we must have in our God if we desire to persist to the end.

Secondly, we need humility, endurance and a sense of purpose to persist to the end. Jesus is our perfect example when it comes to persisting to the end. He demonstrated humility, endurance and a sense of purpose to please God and fulfill His mission on earth. It is for this reason Paul wrote that “…he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. ⁸ And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death — even death on a cross! (Philippians 2:7-8). Beloved in the Lord, to achieve God’s purpose in life comes with humility and endurance and we see Jesus give us a perfect example. People may envy and hate but we must remain humble to God and endure the temporary hardship or challenges on account of His name. We must have a sense of purpose when persisting to the end and “continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, ¹³ for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. (Philippians 2:12-13). In persisting to the end through humility, endurance and a sense of purpose we are greatly assured by God that ““I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me? (Jeremiah 32:27) With this assurance let us not give up but persist to the end.

Thirdly, we cannot persist to the end without being obedient and submitting to God’s Word. Which end are we persisting to? The end is our salvation in the Lord therefore to persist to the end (Salvation), we need absolute repentance, regeneration, obedience and submission to the Word of God. Jesus admonished the self-righteous and judgmental Jews, ““Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. ³² For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him” (Matthew 21:31-32) In the end, it is only those who persist through obedience and submission to the will of God who will make it to the end. It is for this reason Jesus said “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 7:21). Dear friend, let us not persist in vain but persist to the end in obedience of God’s Word and by totally submitting to His will.

Last but not least, there is a reward for the faithful who persist to the end. Jesus gives us the example and hope that when we persist to the end according to the will of God, He will reward us. Paul made this fact clear when he wrote, “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, ¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, ¹¹ and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-11). Beloved in the Lord, there is a reward of eternal life if we persist to the end. Jesus assures us that “the one who stands firm to the end will be saved” (Matthew 24:13). Again, Jesus gives us the assurance that “Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown. (Revelation 2:10). Also, Paul encourages us through his letter to the Galatians, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9) It is with this assurance, faith and hope that Paul wrote to Timothy, For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. ⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ⁸ Now there is in store 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 longed for his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:6-8) Beloved, whatever you are doing for the Lord keep persisting to the end for we are greatly assured of an immeasurable and eternal reward.

In summary, we have reflected on the theme ” Persisting to the end.” We have discovered that we need faith and hope to persist to the end, we need humility and a sense of purpose to persist to the end, we need obedience and submission to God’s Word to persist to the end, and last but not least, there is a reward for persisting to the end. May the Holy Spirit continue to sustain us and grant us the strength to persist to the end. Shalom.