Rookie racecar driver J. R. Hildebrand was unexpectedly winning the Indianapolis 500 with one lap to go. He only needed to navigate the final turns and he would coast to his first victory. He easily completed the first three turns of the final lap, but he went high on the final turn and crashed his car into the wall. Would he quit? No. He willed his wounded car to keep going and wheezed across the finish line in second place. Hildebrand may not have been perfect, but he persevered to the end.
Hildebrand illustrates the unyielding, bottom-line truth of perseverance: We never persevere until we actually do. We will face adversity in life, but if we persevere we can still accomplish great things for God. Our faith will be tested by trials and temptations, but we can finish the race by possessing real faith in Jesus.
This fact can seem daunting when you’re young and have your whole life ahead of you. But rather than letting us be overwhelmed by the decades that may stretch before us, the author of Hebrews shows us how to successfully make it all the way to the end. The key is to “live by faith” (Hebrews 10:38). Unlike a typical race, the Christian life is won by resting in the promises of God, not by trying harder. Specifically, we throw ourselves upon Jesus’ redemption—trusting that His shed blood forgives all our sin (Hebrews 10:19-23). We await His return—knowing that when Jesus comes He will bring the finish line to us (Hebrews 10:37).
We shouldn’t try any of this alone. Rather than fire up our faith by ourselves, Hebrews encourages us to pile our coals with the faith of our brothers and sisters (Hebrews 10:25). Rest in Jesus with others and you’ll finish strong.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Ezekiel 37:1-14
More:
Read Philippians 1:6 and 2:12-13 to learn who is responsible for your perseverance.
Next:
Do you know some people who have failed to persevere? What can you do to avoid their mistakes? How is active participation in a local church essential for perseverance?
sheridan voysey on May 28, 2012 at 4:29 am
A great reminder Mike.
As I was reading something struck me: the biblical message of perseverance is actually quite a gift. By its very nature it assumes we will have trials and even failures, but the message is not ‘one strike and you’re out’, or even two or three strikes and you’re out. The message is ‘persevere to the end’.
You may face temptations and fail at times. Get up and walk with God again.
mike wittmer on May 31, 2012 at 8:40 pm
That’s a great point, Sheridan. The whole idea of perseverance implies difficulty, and even the likelihood of stumbling.
winn collier on June 4, 2012 at 5:36 pm
Thanks, Mike. I think it’s vital to connect perseverance and long faithfulness to the grace we receive from others. The American way (and religious way) often ignores this.