We usually think of Ephesians 6:18 as the text that speaks of the full armor of God. It is a very well known scripture and many teachings and sermons have been shared about it. However in reading or quoting it we say a word in verse 18 and may not have seen the fullness of it.

Here we see the perseverance of the saints in that as well as connected to prayer, it speaks of having done all to stand. Verse 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

The word perseverance in Greek is: proskarterésis:

Perseverance, steadfastness, devotion

Original Word: προσκαρτέρησις

Strongs #4343 proskartérēsis – strong perseverance steadfastness, which prevails byinteracting with God (used only in Eph 6:18) from G4342 (προσκαρτερέω – continually devoting themselves

Standing firm takes persistence and perseverance requires saintly determination to continue on in dedication, when all the forces of hell are arrayed against the soul; it is why it is included in the verses about protective armor. Perseverance is a defensive weapon against the onslaught of the enemy. It defies all human logic and that’s the point, it is not based on human logic or common sense, its based on the promises of our Heavenly Father.  

Perseverance is to the human spirit what the rudder is to a ship.

The picture of the ship and its rudder is a well-known one and the relative size of it compared to the volume of the ship; it is amazing that something so small can cause the direction of something so much larger. The reference in James to the tongue and our words also uses the same picture. For believers the rudder of the spirit in godly perseverance, will steer the saint straight ahead in spite of the contrary wind continually buffeting and challenging the desired course to the goal. The unstable man referred to in James is blown about and receives nothing.

Without perseverance even the one with the most sincere motives will fail. There are other words we can use to describe perseverance such as: not giving up, patience, long suffering, determination, grit, insistence, resolution, resolve, diligence, drive, purpose, determination, devotion, tirelessness, endurance, steadfastness and firmness.

We must have this perseverance. It is a fruit of our Heavenly Fathers indwelling Holy Spirit evident in our life and actions. Patience, or longsuffering, is the ability to endure difficult circumstances and the shortcomings of others without becoming impatient, angry or upset. The Greek word found in Galatians 5:22 is makrothumia. It means, “Patience, long-suffering.”

It is not fleshly zeal or an outward show for aesthetic appeal, its not a surface façade or a mask put on to look the part but an inward, stalwart, deep rooted patience of the spirit and soul, that for the most part stays silent and steadfast, focused and immovable. It’s a holy determination pressing on in defiance of all odds, completely trusting in the Lord and His timing and provision for us. Our faith grows as we wait on Him, and the arm of the flesh, the emotions and feelings that are tied to the soul are restrained to wait on the Lord. This is the patient perseverance, the not giving up or giving in to fixing it ourselves, or using another ungodly avenue to save us having to wait any longer!

These times of waiting are times when our Father is working in us and building our faith and trust in Him so that we are absolutely assured that He will answer us in His way and time. This is the greater part of spiritual warfare – having done all to stand and a sign of spiritual maturity.

The thoughts and suggestions to move ahead of the Lords plans, purposes and timing are in the flesh of our minds; those imaginations that are inspired by unclean and ungodly spirits whispering to go ahead, just do it, why wait when you can fix it yourself, you’re too busy to wait it needs fixing now. That arm of the flesh will get us out of sync. with the workings of His Spirit in and through us which is why we are told to take those thoughts captive in 2 Corinthians 10:5. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Faith is built by trusting and waiting. It’s not what our impatient flesh wants to hear but we are to be founded and grounded on the Rock that is the immovable foundation, which is the unchangeable location for a secure soul and the hope of a victorious outcome, knowing that His will plans and purposes have been achieved. Matthew 28:20: “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

The Powerful Protection In The Promise Of His Presence began in Exodus 33:14 and has never changed. We are to be assured that He will never leave us nor forsake us and to realize He knew what we would need before we did and before we even ask concerning it. His presence is with us always, this is His promise; and therein lies the protection, the safety for our peace, knowing that He knows the end from the beginning and the best outcome for every situation we may find ourselves in.

This protection is powerful because it is all encompassing and is reflected from the many promises in the Torah/Tenach. Psalms 91 and 23 being the most well known.

Hebrews 11:6 tells us that we cannot please the Father without faith and faith takes patience and perseverance.

Perseverance is as the rope that spiritually ties the soul to the door post of heaven. It’s the thing we need in order to fulfill our call, to run our race and endure to the end. Messiah said in Matthew 10:22, 24:13 and Mark 13:13 He who endures to the end shall be saved. That is the determined length of our days, those which are allotted for each individual. The race is not to the swift or the strong in themselves, but to those who endure and trust in the Lord to make up for what they lack. Trying to make our own answers to prayer happen before our Fathers timing often results in more confusion and frustration.

If you are still waiting on an answer, don’t give up!

Be encouraged….

He has heard you and will answer in His perfect time and often we don’t appreciate the timing until we look back on the situation. Just continue to stand fast on His promises and persevere in faith, believing He can do exceedingly abundantly above all we think or imagine.

 

Revelation 3:10 has a wonderful promise for us and interestingly here, Messiah calls perseverance His command! So it seems it’s not really an option, or one we can avoid or get around, we are called and commanded to persevere which sheds a new light on this verse we began with in Ephesians. There really is powerful protection in the promise of His presence.

Shalom shalom

‘Mishpachah’

‘Family/Tribe’

משפחה

Mish-pa-KHa,

friends, visitors and every reader…

Please don’t leave this page before making certain you are His

and are truly born again from above.

Know of a certainty that Jesus/Yeshua is

your Redeemer, Savior, Lord

and soon returning King

and that you have a personal relationship with Him.

You are greatly loved and precious in His sight.

It’s all about Life and Relationship, not Religion.

NOT SURE? YOU CAN BE..

SAY THE FOLLOWING FROM YOUR HEART RIGHT NOW…

Heavenly Father I come to you in the Name of Jesus asking for forgiveness of my sins for which I am truly sorry.

I repent of them all and turn away from my past.

I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that Jesus is your Son and that He died on the cross at calvary to pay the price for my sin, so that I might be forgiven and have eternal life in the kingdom of Heaven. Father I believe that Jesus rose from the dead and I ask you to come into my life right now and be my personal Savior and Lord and I will worship you all the days of my life. Because your word is truth I say that I am now forgiven and born again and by faith I am washed clean with the blood of Jesus.  Thank you that you have accepted me into your family in Jesus’ name. Amen.