Love That Never Fails

17. Faith and Perseverance

When we first embark on our journey with God, trust is the key that opens the doors to our future. As we let go of our own agendas and let Him guide us, we find ourselves in amazing places we never could have imagined! God loves us so much and has an incredible plan for us that we cannot yet see. All we need to do is trust Him:

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3:5-6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Sometimes the way ahead may seem thwart with danger and complications but when we cannot see how things could possibly work out, this is when we must continue to trust:

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭29:11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Moses must have wondered what he had gotten himself into as he faithfully went to the Egyptian Pharaoh, over and over again, asking him to let his people go. God gave him courage for these negotiations with a man whose heart had been hardened. It took ten terrible plagues for Pharaoh to finally agree to let the Israelites go! Moses trusted God and obeyed Him, persevering in extraordinary circumstances:

"By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king's anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover and the application of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel."
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭11:27-28‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Do you see our Lord with your eyes of faith? He will surely help you persevere to the end of your mission! Imagine how Moses felt as God sent the final plague over Egypt:

"At midnight the Lord struck down all the firstborn in Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh, who sat on the throne, to the firstborn of the prisoner, who was in the dungeon, and the firstborn of all the livestock as well. Pharaoh and all his officials and all the Egyptians got up during the night, and there was loud wailing in Egypt, for there was not a house without someone dead. During the night Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, "Up! Leave my people, you and the Israelites! Go, worship the Lord as you have requested. Take your flocks and herds, as you have said, and go. And also bless me.""
‭‭Exodus‬ ‭12:29-32‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The Israelites were being set free at last -surely a legacy of God's incredible love for His people and Moses' faithful perseverance! You can read all the details in Exodus chapters 7 to 12. Be encouraged as you head into seemingly impossible situations this week, trusting God to bring about all He has planned ahead of time for you.

Let's pray:

Heavenly Father,

Thank You so much for Your Word which gives me glimpses into the way You have shown Your love to Your people in times past. Thank You for the example of Moses who trusted You and persevered in such difficult circumstances. Please help me to continue to put my trust wholly in You and to persevere, obediently following Your instructions as I move forward. You always know the best way -You have the plan for my life in Your hands. In all my ways, I choose to acknowledge You, knowing You will keep my paths straight. I am excited to see where Your plans lead me, as Your Word says these plans will give me hope and a future.

I am stepping out in faith and perseverance with You,
Amen.