Definition and Context
The term "persistently" refers to the act of continuing steadfastly or firmly in some state, purpose, or course of action, especially in spite of opposition or difficulty. In a biblical context, persistence is often associated with faithfulness, perseverance, and endurance in the pursuit of God's will and commands.

Biblical Examples and Teachings

1. Prayer and Persistence
The Bible frequently emphasizes the importance of persistence in prayer. Jesus taught His disciples to pray persistently through the Parable of the Persistent Widow. In Luke 18:1-8 , Jesus tells of a widow who continually approaches an unjust judge to grant her justice. Her persistence eventually leads to her request being granted. Jesus uses this parable to illustrate that if an unjust judge can be moved by persistence, how much more will God, who is just, respond to the persistent prayers of His people.

2. Faith and Endurance
Persistence is closely linked to faith and endurance. Hebrews 12:1 encourages believers to "run with endurance the race set out for us," suggesting that the Christian life requires persistent effort and steadfastness. The passage draws on the imagery of a race, where persistence is necessary to reach the finish line.

3. Apostle Paul's Example
The Apostle Paul exemplifies persistence in his ministry. Despite facing numerous hardships, including imprisonment, beatings, and shipwrecks, Paul remained steadfast in his mission to spread the Gospel. In 2 Corinthians 11:23-28 , Paul recounts his sufferings, yet his persistent dedication to Christ's work is evident throughout his epistles.

4. Old Testament Examples
The Old Testament also provides examples of persistence. One notable instance is the account of Jacob wrestling with God in Genesis 32:24-30 . Jacob's persistence in seeking a blessing from God, even as he wrestled through the night, resulted in his name being changed to Israel, signifying his perseverance and struggle with God and men.

5. Encouragement to Persevere
Believers are encouraged to persist in doing good and in their faith. Galatians 6:9 states, "Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." This verse underscores the promise of reward for those who persist in righteousness and good works.

6. Warnings Against Falling Away
The Bible also warns against the dangers of failing to persist in faith. Hebrews 10:36-39 cautions believers to persevere so that they may receive what God has promised, contrasting those who shrink back and are destroyed with those who have faith and are saved.

Theological Implications

Persistence in the Christian life is not merely about human effort but is deeply rooted in reliance on God's strength and grace. Philippians 4:13 declares, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength," highlighting that true persistence is empowered by Christ. The believer's persistence is a response to God's faithfulness and a reflection of trust in His promises.

Practical Application

Christians are called to persist in various aspects of their spiritual lives, including prayer, worship, service, and moral integrity. This persistence is not only a personal endeavor but also a communal one, as believers are encouraged to support and exhort one another in their shared journey of faith (Hebrews 10:24-25).(adv.) In a persistent manner.7925. shakam -- to start or rise early
... arise early (2), arisen early (1), arose (1), arose to early (1), arose early (16),
eager (1), early (6), got up early (1), morning (1), persistently (1), rise ...
/hebrew/7925.htm - 6k

Indiscreet Importunity.
... Perhaps no form of ruin covers a man with such shame or sinks him to such hopelessness
as when he finds that what he has persistently clamoured for and refused ...
/.../dods/how to become like christ/indiscreet importunity.htm

The Knocking that Obtains an Opening
... much. The Master disclosed the value of praying persistently in His discourse
about the man asking three loaves at midnight. There ...
/.../anderson/prayer availeth much/chapter 12 the knocking that.htm

He Comes to his Own.
... He is coming steadily and persistently, in spite of rebuffs; coming patiently, tenderly,
earnestly; coming ever closer in the ever increasing measure of divine ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/he comes to his own.htm

Whether one Person is Delivered from this Punishment Sooner than ...
... I answer that, Some venial sins cling more persistently than others, according as
the affections are more inclined to them, and more firmly fixed in them. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether one person is delivered.htm

The Third Beatitude
... and the more we are depreciated, the more we are harmed, the more we are circled
about by malice and by scorn, the more patiently and persistently to love on. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the third beatitude.htm

Giving God a Clear Road for Action.
... And while she prayed on for weeks and months patiently, persistently, day by day,
the distress was gone, the sweet peace remained in the assurance that the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on prayer/giving god a clear road.htm

Biogenesis
... stand upon the initial statement of the Author of the Spiritual Life, one small
school, in the face of derision and opposition, has persistently maintained the ...
/.../drummond/natural law in the spiritual world/biogenesis.htm

Sylvanus
... lesson which is own sister to that first one, but which may be taken for a moment
separately, is, the importance and obligation of persistently doing our task ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/sylvanus.htm

Berea and Athens
... Thus closed the labors of the apostle at Athens, the center of heathen learning,
for the Athenians, clinging persistently to their idolatry, turned from the ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 23 berea and athens.htm

Concerning Things done in Illumination.
... or manner, turns himself to any other thing whatever than those which are peculiarly
his own, but from things Divine to Divine,"is persistently and always ...
/.../dionysius/ecclesiastical hierarchy/caput ii i concerning things.htm

Persistently (16 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Persistently (16 Occurrences). Matthew 14:4 because John
had persistently said to him, "It is not lawful for you to have her." (WEY). ...
/p/persistently.htm - 11k

Quarrelled (2 Occurrences)
... they quarrelled with him about certain matters connected with their own religion,
and about one Jesus who had died, but--so Paul persistently maintained--is ...
/q/quarrelled.htm - 7k

Vision (106 Occurrences)
... vizh'-un (chazon, chizzayon, mar'ah; horama, optasia): Psychologists find that man
is prevailingly and persistently "eye-minded." That is, in his waking life ...
/v/vision.htm - 45k

Nazarene (19 Occurrences)
... applied the title to Himself (Acts 22:8). In the light of these facts we do not
wonder that the disciples, in their later lives and work, persistently used it ...
/n/nazarene.htm - 18k

Obstinate (12 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Persistently adhering to an opinion; not
yielding to reason; stubborn; pertinacious; unreasonable. ...
/o/obstinate.htm - 10k

Restored (77 Occurrences)
... restored. Persistently strive for peace with all men, and for that growth in
holiness apart from which no one will see the Lord. (WEY). ...
/r/restored.htm - 29k

District (59 Occurrences)
... Matthew 15:22 Here a Canaanitish woman of the district came out and persistently
cried out, "Sir, Son of David, pity me; my daughter is cruelly harassed by a ...
/d/district.htm - 24k

Maintained (19 Occurrences)
... they quarrelled with him about certain matters connected with their own religion,
and about one Jesus who had died, but--so Paul persistently maintained--is ...
/m/maintained.htm - 12k

Matters (131 Occurrences)
... they quarrelled with him about certain matters connected with their own religion,
and about one Jesus who had died, but--so Paul persistently maintained--is ...
/m/matters.htm - 36k

Persistent (5 Occurrences)

/p/persistent.htm - 8k

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