Summer Fruit Devotion: Patience Day 2

Until the End

“Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things—things that belong to salvation. For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do. And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself, saying, “Surely I will bless you and multiply you.” And thus Abraham, having patiently waited, obtained the promise. For people swear by something greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation. So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.” Hebrews 6:9-20

Sometimes it’s hard to keep sight of why we are different than the world. Why should we have patience? Why should we keep putting one foot in front of the other? Where are we going? What is at the end of our journey? We get to see Jesus, in the inner place behind the curtain! How do we know? We have hope in God’s promise! How long must we hope? All the way to the end. The fruit of patience is born out of hope and faith that holds fast to the anchor of the gospel and believes the promises of God. If you find yourself losing hope, wondering when the struggles will end, feeling like your goodness is overlooked, look to scripture. Every time you serve in His Name in love, God takes note. God has promised to dwell in you and with you. When you feel restless and discouraged by life remember that you are only a pilgrim here and home is up ahead. Promise.

Journal time. The difficult season you are in now will not last forever. Consider Galatians 6:9-10, “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” How can hope in the Gospel help you turn impatience into service toward others? How can loving and serving others in his name help you have “hope until the end?”

Pray with me today. Heavenly Father, we are so amazed that you promise us hope and a future and that you keep your promises. Thank you for the example of Abraham and his patience concerning your promise. We seek you for refuge, we need your encouragement. Help us to hold fast to the anchor of Christ. Help us to keep patiently doing good, not to earn salvation but because Christ has given it to us by going beyond the veil where we could never go. Be glorified in our lives as we hope in you until the very end. In the name of Jesus, our High Priest forever, we pray, Amen.