Like many of you, I’m enamored with men and women who beat the odds in impossible situations. Those who keep fighting when everyone else call it quits fascinate me. I often wonder, “What keeps a person going when there’s no visible evidence to warrant perseverance? Can I develop that tenacity?” Life has a strange way of molding us into wimps or warriors. Given the choice, I’d rather be a warrior.
But how do we develop perseverance that keeps us fighting when everything in us wants to quit?
God has a long and faithful track record of taking weak-willed people and transforming them into people who persevere. The Scriptures are filled with stories of God’s people overcoming opposition. In fact, the Bible make it clear that when we are serving God and advancing His kingdom, opposition is to be expected. Certainly, that was the case for Paul and Silas as they traveled to Thessalonica and Berea.
When Paul and Silas arrived in Thessalonica, Paul went straight to the local synagogue, as was his custom, where he preached for three Sabbaths. The text says Paul, “reasoned from the Scriptures, explaining and showing that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead.” God blessed Paul’s efforts and a great number of people were saved as a result of his preaching. (Acts 17:1-4)
I’d be hard pressed to name a nobler endeavor than preaching the gospel to folks who’ve never heard it. Paul not only wasn’t doing anything wrong, he was doing a great deal of good.
But what happened?
“The Jews became jealous and they brought together some scoundrels from the marketplace, formed a mob, and started a riot in the city.” (Acts 17:5-10). This mob attacked Jason’s house, a new Thessalonian believer who had welcomed Paul into his home. The riot grew so intense that other believers sent Paul and Silas out of town and onto Berea as soon as it grew dark.
Most of us would’ve been tempted to call it quits. After all, who’d want to bring violence to the front door of a new believer? Why risk it in such a hostile environment?
Some of us might’ve even been inclined to believe it wasn’t God’s will for us to continue in the midst of such intense opposition. We’d head back to our hometown and share our short-lived war story with our neighbors. They’d listen in disbelief and reassure us that we did the right thing by returning home.
But what did Paul do?
As soon as he and Silas arrived in Berea he made a beeline for the next synagogue. Paul carried on with business as usual. While most of us would’ve still been dealing with post-traumatic stress from the fiasco in Thessalonica, Paul was ready to preach the gospel in Berea.
What was the result?
“The people here were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, since they welcomed the message with eagerness and examined the Scriptures daily to see if they were so.” As a result of God’s grace and Paul’s tenacity, even more became believers. (Acts 17:11-12).
So, how did Paul develop this degree of perseverance?
The Scriptures give us plenty of insight. Keep in mind Paul is the man who wrote these verses:
- “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be make known to God.” (Philippians 4:6)
- “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)
- “Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
- “Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it on my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead. I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:13-14).
When I look back and recall the times I’ve quit too soon, it’s been because I’ve relied on my own strength rather than God’s. My strength is limited. God, on the other hand, is omnipotent. Paul didn’t persevere in his own strength. He prayed without ceasing and relied on God’s grace. Like Paul, if we are to persevere, it will be through God’s strength. His resources are unlimited. If we abide in Christ, so are ours.
Let’s stay in the ring.
