Outlast

But hold your hope firmly to the end and you will experience life and deliverance. Matthew 24:13 TPT

Sometimes I wonder why challenges I face do not seem to change. I do my best. I pray. Others pray with and for me. But few circumstances shift.

What I have learned is that I have to outlast the opposition. Not to defeat it. Outlast it. The Bible tells us to stand (see Ephesians 6:13-14). I cannot find a reference telling us to run away from problems or to give up when life gets difficult.

David spent years reckoning with Saul’s oppression. David never defeated Saul; he simply outlasted him. David did not sit and idly twiddle his thumbs. He actively deepened his relationship with God. David did what he needed to do to prepare for his future while dealing with his present. Do the same. Do not give up along the way or veer off.

Tap into David’s example of his decision to stand. We are to stand against oppression and evil. God answers our prayers when we stand in faith. And it might not be immediately; we may have to hide in caves for years. We see victory when we steadfastly cling to God. Stay in the Word, grow in faith, and continually praise Him (read David’s writings in the psalms). God will defeat what holds us back. We are to put on spiritual armor. We are to grow to be like Christ. God will open doors we cannot open. He will move the wrong people out of the way and bring us together with our fellow-workers. He is our deliverer.

Outlast the injustice, outlast the trouble at work, outlast the loneliness, outlast the pain. Outlast the oppression. God will bring you into your time to fulfill your destiny. Stand firm with patient endurance and you will find your souls’ deliverance. Luke 21:19 TPT