Perseverance

Then Elijah said to him, “Stay here, please, for the Lord has sent me on to the Jordan.” But he said, “As the Lord lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you!” So, the two of them went on. 2 Kings 2:6 (NKJV)

On his trip from Gilgal to Bethal, Elijah knew it was time for him to go be with the Lord and told his servant, Elisha to stay behind. Elisha refused and said he would not leave him. By the time they reached the Jordan River, Elijah had told Elisha to stay behind two more times, each time Elisha telling his master that he would not leave him. When they reached the Jordan River, Elijah struck the water with his mantle and the water split, allowing them to walk to the other side on dry land. Because of his faithfulness, Elijah granted his servant one request before being taken up by the Lord. Elisha asked for a double portion of the spirit that Elijah had, and even though it was a hard thing, the Lord granted his request after Elijah was taken up in a whirlwind of fire.

Just like Elisha, God rewards us for our perseverance. 2 Timothy 4:7 says, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." Following God is not about having a great victory, but about the long game. Like the Israelites, we can experience a hardship, go the God, have a great victory, and then go about our lives forgetting what God did for us. Perseverance is the act of seeking God every day and in every situation, good or bad. When we do so, God rewards us with blessings such as spiritual maturity, insight into God’s presence, deeper joy, strength in adversity, and knowledge of His will.

Choose to fight the good fight and finish the race that God has chosen for you. Start the day with prayer and meditation on His word, seeking His guidance as you progress though the day. Celebrate the victories that God has given you and choose an attitude of gratitude, giving Him praise for all He has provided. Choose to have the mindset that each day is a gift from God. When we live a life that gives all the glory and honor to God, we are able to persevere though all of life's challenges, and He gives us double the Spirit for our faithfulness in Him.