Persevering 

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not (Galatians 6:9).

Perseverance is an admirable trait when used in the right way. Remember the old adage, "If at first you don't succeed try, try again." Thomas Edison put it another way: "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work."

The prophet Elijah certainly knew about perseverance. He continued following God's directives, regardless of the fact that King Ahab and Queen Jezebel wanted him dead. He even confronted the king face to face on several occasions and likely came out with an even stronger faith because he had trusted in God.

Then God sent him to Zarephath in Jezebel's home country, to stay with an impoverished widow, and her son dies. She cries out to Elijah in agony, and he wants to help her. He scoops the boy from her arms and takes him up to his chamber in the loft. He stretches himself over the boy's body and prays to the Lord. Nothing happens. Again he stretches himself over the boy, prays, and then pulls back to see. Still nothing.

And he stretched himself upon the child three times, and cried into the Lord, and said, O Lord my God. I pray thee, let this child's soul come into him again, and he revived. And Elijah took the child, and brought him down out of the chamber into the house, and delivered him unto his mother: and Elijah said, See, thy son liveth. And the woman said to Elijah, Now I know that thou art a man of God, and the the word of the Lord in thy mouth is true (1 Kings 17:21-24).

What if Elijah had given up the first time and said, "Oh well, God isn't going to grant my request?" How many miracles or blessings have we missed because we gave up too readily; we didn't persevere. Waiting on God with patience and trust can be a blessing in itself. So, when it comes to your faith and following God's Word, be stubborn and persevere.

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