Following the ways of Jesus gets long. The psalmist refers to the valley of the shadow of death for a reason, because we all face disheartening days. In such times it’s tempting to quit. Plus, in the cacophony of cancel culture keeping my head down feels safer when people accuse Christians of bigotry and harm.

But it pays to stick with the Lord. The early church in Rome faced waves of intense persecution. Authorities martyred both Peter and Paul during one span. But these church members were encouraged to hang tough:

Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you endured in a great conflict full of suffering. Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. You suffered along with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions.

So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.

God honors our commitment to him, whether we see it in this life or not. Don’t give up. Take one more step. If you quit, start again. Better and lasting possessions await each of us who stick with the Lord. Remember who is worthy of your confidence.

Keep the faith.

Hebrews 10 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by Bernd 📷 Dittrich