Enduring

Enduring

For comfort we turn often to I Corinthians 10:13, “God is faithful, he will not let you be tested beyond your ability; but if you are tested, He will enable you to endure what you are going through.” Of course, this is the way I understand the Greek and I shall explain why?

First, I know first hand what it means when Mammy has to say to a two-one-half year old, “Daddy is not coming home” to a mother, “Your son shall not be able to live a normal life” and to a father, Your child is handicapped for life.” One more, the Oncologist to the patient with the wife present, “We cannot cure you.” The amazing thing was that every one of these people not just endured, but they overcame their tragedies and losses. Somehow, there flows enough strength from our faith in God to us that helps us endure what ever comes our way.

Secondly, the above is why I Corinthians 10:13 can be such an enormous promise to us. In particular, I like the two Greek words: “peirasmo” and “upenegkein.” The first word is not just a temptation, but it was a test of survival. Paul was not talking about a little scrimmage. Paul and his people were facing persecution and even death. The second word meant and still does God’s people shall endure and even outlast their hardships and losses. There is no escape from reality. In this world, Christians will suffer tribulations (John 16:33).

Jesus told his disciples that not a single hair falls off their heads without God noticing it (Luke 21:18). There is not a tear that He shall not wipe away (Revelation 7:17). We can lose father and mother, brother and sister, which so many of us did; but we cannot lose our Lord (Psalm 27:10). The Lord promised to be with us to the end of our days and beyond (Matthew 28:20). Jesus has prepared a place for us where we shall be reunited in heaven (John 14:1-4).