We can endure, persevere knowing that God’s love does not fail

We have celebrated Christmas and our attention, according to the calendar, is now on the coming New Year. People get excited about a new start. Many are hopeful to leave behind the problems of 2016 and are optimistic about the possibilities of a new year.

But, let’s talk some reality. How many of you watched young children open gifts this past Christmas? With four children and six grandchildren Kathy and I may have not have experienced quite the excitement we saw in our offspring. But I do believe we may have experienced as much joy as the younger generation while watching them open their gifts. Yet, how many of the gifts received may already have been opened, placed aside, and somewhat forgotten? There is an excitement in the new thing, or the new experience. But how long does that excitement last?

There is hope found as the calendar turns and a New Year arrives. But, when the first crisis or trial of the new year presents itself, what happens to that optimism and hope? We know that 2017 will have its share of troubles. We are sinful people who live in a fallen world. The evil of this world and the trials of this life will always bring distress and difficulty to our lives.

That is why God’s children are called to behavior that may be more appropriate as we face a new year. Time and again God speaks to us in the New Testament to call us to “perseverance” and to “endurance.”

Hebrews 12:1-3 calls us to run the race of the coming year with perseverance. “1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” By keeping our attention on Jesus, and on the love of His sacrifice for us, God helps us to persevere, to continue even as the trials of life present themselves. In the midst of life’s disappointments and failures the love of God given to us in Jesus does not fail. So because of Jesus we can continue living in faith and integrity and in love. We can persevere.

In Romans 15:4 we are not only called to endure, but told where help for endurance may be found. “4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” Endurance is necessary as we face the troubles of this world. God gives help for endurance as we study and meditate on God’s wisdom and direction in Scripture. And, as God gives endurance through Scripture, we then have hope. This is not hope founded on the unrealistic expectations of a new start with no trouble. We have hope knowing that God’s love does not fail and we can endure and persevere, no matter what problems the new year brings.

A new year is upon us and we can hope for better fortunes in 2017. But, we have sure hope because Scripture tells us that God’s love does not fail. So, we can face this coming year with perseverance and endurance.

Jonathan Rockey is the pastor of St. John Lutheran Church in Palmer.