TO ENDURE

TO ENDURE!

Mark 4:16-17

16 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;

17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended.

Endurance presupposes unpleasant or disagreeable circumstances. Endurance is forced submission to necessity! The verses above indicate that the cause of a failure in endurance is that they “have no root in themselves.” The ground (heart) was stony. The problem was an “unbroken” heart which prevented the seed (the word) from taking deep root. They endured only as long as things were going well. When affliction and persecution arose they were immediately (so suddenly) offended.

The word “offended” is an interesting word. It is the word skandalizo from which we get the word “scandalize.”  Whenever difficulties arise in the shallow stony heart of those who submitted to “easy believe-ism” something scandalous is the result. They abandon their faith and return to their sin which has been set aside…yet nearby.

Endurance means we do not fold under pressure, we run the race till it is finished.

Ps 27:14

14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

Dear Lord, when the difficulties of life offer many opportunities to quit, help me to endure. AMEN