PRÉCIS ON PERSEVERANCE II: THE DETERMINATION TO PREVAIL OVER OUR ENEMY NO MATTER THE COST

SCRIPTURE. “Many a time and much have they afflicted me from my youth up, yet they have not prevailed against me.” – PSALM 129:2, AMPC

KEY TERM: “PREVAILED.” ‘Yakol’ [יָכֹל]: “To be able to exercise moral might over; to attain dominance, superiority or power over; [to master]; endure, overcome; to suffer; to accomplish or gain [a foothold]; to achieve the victory or advantage; to be predominant; to extend over with force or effect.”

QUOTATION. “Though all the winds of doctrine were let loose to play upon the earth, so Truth be in the field, we do injuriously by licensing and prohibiting to misdoubt her strength. Let her and Falsehood grapple; who ever knew Truth put to the worse, in a free and open encounter.” – JOHN MILTON, Areopagitica, 1644

COMMENTARY. “‘Many a time’ – This repetition is designed to fix the thoughts on the fact, and to impress it on the mind. The mind dwells on the fact as important in its bearing on the present occasion or emergency. The idea is, that it is no new thing to be thus afflicted. It has often occurred. It is a matter of long and almost constant experience. Our enemies have often attempted to destroy us, but in vain. What we experience now we have often experienced, and when thus tried we have been as often delivered and have nothing now therefore to fear.

‘We are not to regard it as a strange thing that we are now afflicted’ – And we are not to be discouraged or disheartened as if our enemies could overcome us, for they have often tried it in vain. He who has protected us heretofore can protect us still. He who defended us before can defend us now, and the past furnishes an assurance that He will defend us if it is best that we should be protected. It does much to support us in affliction if we can recall to mind, the consolations which we had in former trials, and can avail ourselves of the result of past experience in supporting us now.

‘Yet they have not prevailed against me’ – They have never been able to overcome us. We were safe then in the Divine hands; we shall be safe in the same hands now.” – ALBERT BARNES, Notes on the Old and New Testament, 1884; edited

DK. One of my favorite movies is ‘True Grit’ (both versions), that gets at the heart of what this essay is all about. ANGELA DUCKWORTH has defined it as: “Passion and perseverance to pursue long term goals. Grit is putting your mind towards a goal and not to give up, no matter what obstacle that stands in front of you” (Duckworth and Winkler, Psychological Science, Mar. 29, 2013; edited).

It is the very core idea, in Scripture at least, that a true follower of Christ will never, ever, for any reason or by any affliction including torture unto death, compromise either King or Canon. Ironically, it was WILL SMITH in that same article that captured the essence of it.

“The only thing that I see that is distinctly different about me is I’m not afraid to die on a treadmill. I will not be outworked, period. You might have more talent than me, you might be smarter than me, you might be sexier than me, you might be all of those things — you got it on me in nine categories. But if we get on the treadmill together, there’s two things: You’re getting off first, or I’m going to die. It’s really that simple.”

It really is that simple, Mr. Smith, and I wish you well following your sincere and sustained repentance. Selah.