What can we learn about perseverance from "they tried to end my life"? Verse of Focus “They almost wiped me from the earth, but I have not forsaken Your precepts.” ‑ Psalm 119:87 Setting the Scene Psalm 119 is a celebration of God’s Word. In verse 87 the psalmist stands on the brink of death—enemies have pushed him to the limits—yet he refuses to abandon Scripture. His perseverance is anchored, not in personal willpower, but in unwavering confidence that every word God has spoken is true. Key Truth: Perseverance Anchored in God’s Word • God’s promises are unbreakable; therefore, endurance is never wasted. • Clinging to Scripture steadies the heart when threats feel final. • Obedience is possible even when opposition is life-threatening, proving faith is more than circumstance-based optimism. Lessons for Our Journey • Trials reveal what we truly treasure. The psalmist valued God’s precepts above his own safety. • Perseverance is active: he “has not forsaken” the Word. He keeps reading, memorizing, obeying—even while hunted. • The fiercest attacks can only “almost” succeed; God sets the limit (Job 1:12; 1 Corinthians 10:13). • Steadfastness testifies to a watching world that God’s truth outlasts every assault (Philippians 1:28). Practical Steps to Persevere Today 1. Plant Scripture deep—daily reading, memorization, meditation. When pressure rises, truth is already on-board. 2. Speak the Word aloud. Vocalized promises drown out fearful thoughts (Psalm 42:5). 3. Surround yourself with believers who will echo God’s precepts when you feel spent (Hebrews 10:24-25). 4. Record past deliverances. Remembering yesterday’s rescues fuels today’s endurance (Psalm 77:11-12). 5. Act on what you know. Obedience, even in small matters, builds spiritual muscle for larger tests (Luke 16:10). Encouraging Examples from Scripture • Joseph: Sold, enslaved, imprisoned—yet “the LORD was with Joseph” (Genesis 39:21). Perseverance positioned him to save nations. • Jeremiah: Plotted against and thrown into a cistern, he still proclaimed God’s Word (Jeremiah 38:6-9). • Paul: “Persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed” (2 Corinthians 4:9). His endurance advanced the gospel across the empire. Promises to Hold Onto • “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life” (James 1:12). • “You need to persevere, so that after you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised” (Hebrews 10:36). • “Those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength… they will run and not grow weary” (Isaiah 40:31). • “The LORD loves justice and will not forsake His saints; they will be preserved forever” (Psalm 37:28). Takeaway Perseverance isn’t merely surviving; it’s faithfully clinging to God’s inerrant Word when life itself is on the line. Like the psalmist, we may be pressed to the edge, yet we can confess with confidence: enemies may “almost” finish us, but God’s precepts keep us standing—a testimony to His unfailing faithfulness. |
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