“But recall (remember) the former days in which, after you were illuminated (after you saw the light or came to the Lord); you endured a great struggle with sufferings: partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated; for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, know that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven.  Therefore (in light of this) do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward.  For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:

 ‘For yet a little while, and He who is coming will come and not tarry.  Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.’

  But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.”  Hebrews 10:32-39 (emphasis added)

 There are six words in that passage I believe the Spirit of God wants us to focus our attention on.  The first six words of verse 36:  “For you have need of endurance…” the New International Version uses the word “perseverance” for endurance.  The King James Version uses the word “patience.”  The Amplified Version weaves those words together saying, “You have need of steadfast patience and endurance so that you may perform and fully accomplish the will of God and thus receive and carry away and enjoy to the full what has been promised to you.”

 Patience, endurance and perseverance are strong words.  They are strong parts of what a person’s character needs to be made of.  Patience is a virtue we all want and we want it by yesterday!  We want patience but we don’t want to wait to get it.  But that’s not how it works.  It is essential that patience or endurance be worked within us.  It is the key to obtaining what God has promised us.

 One Christian author, Sarah Utterbach, wrote these words: “Patience is the bridge that carries you from the will of God to the promises of God.  If you do the will of God on this side, the promises are waiting for you on the other side but patience is the bridge that gets you from one side to the other.  The key is bridges come in different lengths.”

 That’s some insight she has there! 

 It helps us understand that only God knows how long your particular bridge is, or how long my bridge is.  We may not think that patience or endurance is a big deal but God does.  And apparently so does the enemy.  Satan is afraid of what will happen to his kingdom if God’s promises to us are brought to fulfillment.   A key way he tries to prevent that from happening is to make us say or do something rash through impatience.

 Devotional author, Bob Gass, says:  “Do you realize that Satan wants to control you and he’ll do everything he can to stop you from developing patience.  That’s why God’s Word says let patience have full play and do a thorough work so that you may be perfectly developed with no defect lacking nothing.  That’s James 1:4 from the Amplified Bible that he cites there.

 Listen, the enemy will try any means possible, he doesn’t fight fair.  He’s a liar, a cheater and deceiver.  The Lord told us what his agenda was two thousand years ago.  The devil has tunnel vision, he’s got only three things in mind: to kill, to steal and to destroy.  He’ll try to do that through any means, any circumstances, and anyone to stop the work of patience from being developed in us. 

 He’ll use fear, anger, resentment, frustration, stress, anxiety, anything or anyone he can use to make you either take matters into your hands or make you speak defeat, unbelief or lack of confidence in God into your life.  Don’t let him do it! 

 He’ll put all kinds of thoughts into your head.  Understand that your mind is not a landing strip for his thoughts.  He’ll put thoughts in there but it doesn’t mean you have to hold on to them. 

 You can’t stop a bird from flying over your head but you can stop it from building a nest on it.  You may not be able to stop what the enemy throws into your head but you sure can get rid of it right away!

 Psalm 94:17-19 describes the faithfulness of the Lord:

 “Unless the Lord has been my help, my soul would soon have settled in silence.  If I say, ‘My foot slips,’ Your mercy, O Lord, will hold me up.  In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comfort delights my soul.”

 Remember, only God knows how long your bridge is, how long that bridge to obtaining that promise He made you is.  Remember, if it’s been a long time, you’re closer to it than when you were when he made the promise.  In fact, the next step might just be to the tollbooth.  And He’ll give you an abundant entrance in.  He gives you E-Z Pass to come into the promises. 

 Don’t quit!

To purchase this message in its entirety contact us and request the Tape for Sunday, February 2, 2003.  

To subscribe or unsubscribe to this weekly message by electronic mail please send an e-mail to church@fathersheartnyc.com.  Permission required to re-use contents or images in print or electronic form.  Other messages are available in our Message Archive.

www.fathersheartnyc.com/church