PRÉCIS ON WHY ALL THE FUSS: YOUR ENDURANCE!

SCRIPTURE. “Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace].” – JAMES 1:2-3, AMP

KEY TERM: “ENDURANCE.” ‘Hupomoné’ [ὑπομονή]: “Base word meaning, ‘cheerful or hopeful;’patient continuance or endurance (waiting for); constancy; a remaining behind or under (the challenges He allots in life); steadfastness; perseverance under suffering (evil) in faith and duty; the quality of a tranquil mind [while experiencing a difficult trial]; forbearance (self-control, restraint).”

QUOTATION. “The Brave Heart is called to school itself in slow endurance against
Griefs that strike deep into the bosom” ― AESCHYLUS, The Oresteia, Vol. 1, p. 127, 458 BC; edited

COMMENTARY. “‘Count it all joy’ — That is, matter of the greatest joy; when ye fall into diverse temptations — Πειρασμοις, ‘trials;’ for though rendered ‘temptations,’ it does not signify here what is commonly meant by temptations, for these we are directed to pray against, but it denotes ‘trials by affliction and persecution.’ To these God, by whose Providence they come, exposes men, not to lead them into sin, but to afford them an opportunity of exercising and improving their graces and virtues.

Hence our Lord declared those to be ‘blessed who were persecuted for righteousness sake’ (Matthew 5:10); and exhorted such (Matthew 5:42), to ‘rejoice and be exceeding glad;’sentiments which doubtless the Apostle James had in his eye when he spoke to the Jewish Christians in this manner. ‘Knowing that the trying, or proving, of your faith’ — By persecution and affliction; ‘worketh patience’— Exercises and thereby increases your patience, through the Divine Blessing, and your resignation to God’s Will, from which many other virtues will flow.” ― JOSEPH BENSON, Notes on the Holy Bible, 5 vols. 1811-1818; edited

DK. Of all the Words of Discipline that the Lord of Heaven has taught me over the decades, second only to Truth, involves the term ‘Endurance:’ The Idea He most fervently insists upon me. And, therefore, upon us all.

I have already related the Visitation of this Term written somehow on a fogged-up bathroom mirror in foot tall letters around 1988: “ENDURE!” God was making a severe point that should not be lost upon us, as He has brought this Word back to me over and over again, across a 35-year Trek culminating in a single, stunning, indisputable EDICT FROM CHRIST raining down upon us from The Olivet:

“But the one who endures and bears up [under suffering] to the end will be saved.” – MATTHEW 24:13, AMP

Need I say it better, beloved? I tell you, I cannot! Read it. Grasp it. And then obey it! And you shall have little need for any further instruction that makes you the wiser – or the braver.

CODA. It is in the Aftermath of the Trial where unspeakable Joy is found, because, beloved: Obedience feels glorious! When, as we reflect upon the sweet whisper from our King:

“Well done, good and faithful servant. I am so very proud of you.” Selah.