A lot of things have been said about the value of perseverance. We all know the good old fable about the tortoise and the hare. And the great preacher Charles Spurgeon once said, “The snail would never have made it on the ark, except through long perseverance!” Winston Churchill lead an entire nation through World War II with his grim determination to go on to the end and never surrender.

The book of James puts it this way:

Count it all joy, my brethren, when you meet various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (James 1:2-4 RSV)

An apostle of Jesus speaks about persevering when he says:

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing. (2 Timothy 4:7-8)

The crown comes after persevering through the fight and completing the race. Perseverance will make life work better for you today!

How do I know? Because many years ago, they beat my Lord, they ridiculed him, mocked his holy name, they spit in his face, they nailed him to a cross, and then pierced his dead and mangled body to prove he was dead. But, after three days in the tomb, he rose from the dead. So just as there is dawn after the dark of night, there is also joy after mourning for those who persevere.

Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning. (Psalm 30:5 NRS)