"As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy." James 5:11

Perseverance is not an easy task, but it is one which the Lord richly rewards. Job had no assurance from God that if he stuck it out he would receive more abundant wealth and blessings than he had before. He could have easily acquiesced to his wife by cursing God and dying to put an end to his suffering. That was not who Job was...he was simply a man devoted to God. Through his suffering, he gained a closer relationship with Him and was blessed twice as much because of his perseverance. Unlike Job, we know what lies ahead for us if we persevere; though it may be hard to imagine. We have a glorious inheritance that far exceeds Job’s. Like Job, we have the opportunity to gain a closer relationship with God through our suffering. If we persevere, we have the added blessing of becoming joint-heirs with Christ. Let us remember what sustained Job: that "the Lord is full of compassion and mercy." Nothing we experience in this life is fruitless; if we persevere great will be our reward.

Help us to persevere, Lord. Help us to never give up, knowing that You will finish the work that you began in us. Help us to be like Job, wholly devoted to You. Let us draw closer to You through life’s trials. Reveal Yourself to us in all of life’s experiences that we might know You better and, in knowing You better, serve You better. Amen