Courage to Endure

KEY VERSE: “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down.” —Nehemiah 6:3

SELECTED SCRIPTURE: Nehemiah 6:1-9, 15, 16

THE WORK OF the Lord today is not to build city walls, but to work out our own salvation. (Phil. 2:12) This is accomplished by learning and doing the will of God. We learn the will of God through the study of his Word—and as we apply its instructions in our lives we are working out our salvation.

These instructions are not difficult to understand. We are to be faithful witnesses of the truth; and we are to give all diligence to root out from our hearts all selfishness, and to be filled with and controlled by the love of God which manifests itself in joy, peace, longsuffering, and brotherly kindness.

And today, even as in the case of Nehemiah, we have our enemies, the chief one of which is Satan, who seek to intimidate and to discourage. But we also have the Lord on our side, and he is more powerful than all our enemies, and has provided us with an armor of righteousness for our protection.—Eph. 6:10-18; Phil. 2:13

In Paul’s second epistle to Timothy, written when Paul was an old man nearing the end of his earthly course, he specially emphasized this quality of endurance: “Take thy_ part in suffering hardship with me as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” (II Tim. 2:3, RSV, Margin) This expression appropriately represents the tests which come to all who embrace such an unpopular message as the true Gospel, and who faithfully let their light shine. In connection with these experiences, we would specially keep in mind that the great Adversary, Satan, the prince of darkness, is the one who instigates all the opposition and persecution resulting from the proclamation of the true Gospel message. Again, “I endure all things for the elect’s sake, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.”—vs. 10

How very fitting that Paul, who had endured so much in his Master’s service for so many years, should be used to exhort us, his fellow-travelers in the narrow way, to endure hardness as good soldiers of Jesus Christ. Paul said, “I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. … For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him.”—II Tim. 2:10,11

Associating this illustration of a good soldier with the subject of enduring hardness is most appropriate. One of the peculiar faculties a soldier must acquire after entering the army is to learn to endure. And in time of war this often means strenuous discipline, and unnatural and arduous deprivation, if one would be classed as a good soldier.

We should remember also that it is not natural courage and strength that enables God’s people to endure; neither is it great knowledge of the truth and opportunities of serving it. But, as the Apostle Paul said, “Love … covers all things, believes all things; hopes for all things; endures all things.” (I Cor. 13:7, Diaglott Translation) This means love for God and his truth, and love for his people.

This is the great principle that so impelled Nehemiah that he would not allow himself to be distracted from his service. All his time and ability was devoted to the peculiar service God had assigned to him, until it was accomplished. Let us also say to our distracters: “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down.”—Neh. 6:3

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