How to Persevere in Faithfulness

Are you beaten up and want to stop trying? Do you feel like your efforts have gone to nothing? Are you having doubts about God’s promises?

Today, God is calling you to greater faith, to have more patience and hope, and to persevere in love.

We read in the first book of Kings, how Solomon, ended up in failure after starting so well with God because he did not persevere. Gone was his wisdom when he followed the examples of his foreign wives and worshipped false gods. As a result, God’s favor left him.

Are you on the verge of worshipping idols thrown at you?

Brace yourself and find inspiration from the example of the woman who had a daughter possessed by an unclean spirit. She begged Jesus to heal her daughter but Jesus said, ”Let the children be fed first. For it is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.”

She replied and said to him, “Lord, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s scraps.”

Wow. Instead of grumbling away or resenting Jesus for calling her a dog, she pushed on and humbled herself even more. ”Even the scraps, Lord, I’m okay with that, because I know, it’s more than enough to heal my daughter.” Essentially, that’s what she said. What faith in the Lord’s goodness and mercy!

Can you say the same of your faith? Do you feel like you’re eating scraps? Be grateful and persist to the very end. Your faithfulness shall be your reward. God cannot resist a trusting heart. He cannot turn His back on someone who completely surrenders to Him.

Let us persevere to the end and finish the race well. Our crown of victory is waiting for us. We shall prevail over temptations, darkness, and desolations. God’s healing hands await us. His redemption is at hand.

PRAYER:
Remember us, O Lord, as you favor your people. Bless me, who observe what is right, who do always what is just. Remember us, O LORD, as you favor your people; visit us with your saving help. May You not forsake your servant anymore. May your healing hands comfort our staggering spirits. Remember your kindness and mercy, Lord, and shower it upon us. For you said, “Come to Me, all you who are tired and weary and I will give you rest. For my yoke is easy and my burden light.” Jesus, we trust in You.

Liturgical Readings:
1 Kings 11:4-13
Psalm 106:3-4, 35-36, 37 and 40
Mark 7:24-30