Beautiful Word Devotional #339

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

James 1:12

This reward—the crown of life—marks the culmination of a demanding race, the course marked by trials, pain, the desire to give up, wily schemes of the devil, and spiritual, emotional, and even physical exhaustion. Still, you persevere. You may run with a limp—or a hip joint may be out of place. Your knees may ache, and you may be gasping for breath. Sometimes all you can do is put one reluctant foot in front of the other.

Yet you persevere, and the reward erases every thought of the pain. The reward is eternal life with its abundant blessings of—among many—a new body, no more tears, and face-to-face communion with Jesus.

So persevere. Take the next step. Endure. Draw strength from your Lord. Rely on his Spirit within you. Keep your eyes on heaven. And keep in mind your heavenly Father’s great love.

Lord, persevering is hard. You know the trials I face, and you know I keep putting one foot in front of the other for you, amen.