Steadfast


For to be steadfast is not merely to stand still in the same place, but to move forward with a slow and unwavering step—George Eliot.

Being steadfast in faith, in love, and in perseverance is not for the fainthearted. It is a feat that those who are strong in spirit can achieve, looking unto Jesus and not turning to the right or to the left. We need to hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. But what is the confession of our hope? It is the firm grip on what we believe in. And what is the belief we confess and place our hope in? We rejoice in the hope of the glory of God, having been justified by faith and gaining access to grace in which we stand, through faith. Since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, we are able to rejoice in our sufferings, the end product of which is hope. Suffering produces endurance, endurance character, and character hope. This hope does not put us to shame because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.

For it says, blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for he will receive what God has promised to those who love Him, the very crown of life. Also, the Lord keeps in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast. We will not be afraid of bad news because our hearts are firm, trusting in the Lord. If we are not firm in our faith, we would be tossed by any wind that passes by. Let us pray: Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. God will answer this prayer because His steadfast love never ceases. His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning. Great is His faithfulness. Therefore, let us continue to be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord our labor is not in vain.



Spillover, by Jaume Plensa, installed in Atwater Park in Shorewood, Wisconsin, United States.

*Biblical references: Hebrews 10:23, Romans 5:1-5, James 1:12, Isaiah 26:3, Psalm 112:7,
Psalm 51:10, Lamentations 3:22-23, and 1 Corinthians 15:58.

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