The Epistle of Hebrews is an encouraging letter to those who have come to the faith yet are going through various trials (a testing of their faith), that they endure till the end. The Heroes of Faith in Chapter 11 of Hebrews are those that endured and received the promise! The word “endure” is synonymous with “to be strong,” “steadfast,” “firm,” “bear the burden,” etc. Let us consider what endurance means for a Christian.

 

Enduring gives you enablement-  If we look into the life of Moses who was chosen to deliver God’s people out of bondage from Egypt, he made certain choices in his life. Heb.11:24-25 says, “By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin…” and it says in Heb 10:27, “…for he endured, as seeing Him who is unseen.” When God commissioned him for the task, He said, “Certainly I will be with you…” (Exo.3:12). Thus Moses was enabled while He endured all the hardships as he embarked on his mission and continued in it- for He was looking to a greater reward.

 

Emptying precedes endurance- Jesus “emptied Himself” (Phil.2:7) while He took the decision to endure the cross! The decision required leaving the comfort of heaven, coming to earth in the likeness of man and suffer the punishment of man’s sin on his behalf! Moses too had to empty himself of his position and status in Pharaoh’s palace and all the knowledge he had acquired there so that he could give himself to the task God called him to do. This called for an understanding of himself, an understanding of God and an understanding of God’s plan for him! Moses endured until God’s plan for His people was accomplished. Jesus endured the cross so that the salvation plan of God could come to all mankind!

 

Endurance equips you with strength- Caleb, God’s servant was determined by all means to possess the promised land for God’s people even when others saw great obstacles before them (Numbers 13-14). He looked to the Lord who was with them and could deliver them from the “giants” in the land. Even at the age of 80, he was full of vitality as he held on to the promise of a land made to him years before (Joshua 14:10-12). “Now then, give me this hill country about which the Lord spoke on that day, …perhaps the Lord will be with me, and I will drive them out as the Lord has spoken.” (Heb 10:12)

 

Endurance energizes God’s Promises- The key verse emphasizes this. The author mentions it in Heb.6:12, “We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.” God’s promises to a believer are manifold and He is faithful to fulfill them through Christ: “For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us.” (2Cor.1:20)

 

Dear brothers and sisters, where do we stand today in our endurance through the many difficulties we go through in our walk with the Lord? Are we tired and wanting to give up? Let today’s word encourage you to endure so that you can hold on to God’s promises as you run the Christian race and look to the enduring reward from Him!

 

Our Hope:

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering,

for He who promised is faithful;”

Hebrews 10:23