James chapter 1 verses 3-4 (NIV)
because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Exodus chapter 17 verses 11-13 (NIV)
As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset. So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.
Sometimes we see on TV, the photos or film clips of amateur runners struggling to get to the finish line, usually in a marathon. They may have trained really hard, may be running to raise money for a good cause, and they might even be able to reach the finish line, but their legs just can’t carry them any further. Often in these cases we see stewards, or sometimes even other runners, help them stand and then support them bodily, maybe with someone on either side, so that they can reach that target and make it over the finish line, purely by guts and perseverance.
That’s the kind of perseverence James is talking about, when our faith is tested to the point where we don’t think we can get through the time of trial that we find ourselves in and we feel like giving up. We may be so close to the other side, imagine if we gave up when we were almost at the finish line. Maybe we just need that bit of support to get us there. Moses was commanded to pray over the battle with the Amalekites. The custom was to pray with arms extended, but the battle went on for hours and he grew weary, so Aaron and Hur supported him till the battle was won. We can have that support too, both from the Holy Spirit, and from other Christians holding us up both in prayer, and by other practical means. Even when we ourselves are not going through difficult times, we may know of others who may need that support from us so that they can persevere and not give up.
Dear Lord,
Thank You that although we are called to persevere through hardships we don’t have to do so alone. Thank you for every sense of support and prayer that I have received in the past. Help me to give that support to others when it’s needed. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.