I’m realizing that I have a “quitters” disposition. I have no problem with quitting something—a workout, a task, a goal. If it’s no longer working for me or I’ve figured out it’s no longer what I want, I’m okay with quitting. So, every now and then, I need some encouragement to stay the course. I need to be challenged to keep going.
I don’t want to be marked by quitting. I want to be known for moving forward no matter what.
As I’ve been reading and studying the book of Hebrews, I’ve noticed a theme of perseverance. It’s quite the opposite of quitting.
The entire book of Hebrews is addressed to believers. It’s for followers of Jesus—a letter to God’s people. The writer starts by describing the house of God. He first uses Moses as an example since they would know all about Moses and the great things he was able to do for God in his lifetime.
Moses was a big deal to the Hebrews. Have you seen The Prince of Egypt? It’s a DreamWorks animated movie about the Exodus story, and it’s worth the watch.
Moses was a big deal. But then the author makes the point that Jesus is greater than Moses. Now that Jesus has come, been crucified, buried, and raised from the dead, He deserves our allegiance. Moses was just a shadow of what was to come in Jesus.
Through Jesus, we now have access to God and are invited to be His house. The people of God are the house of God.
“but Christ is faithful over God's house as a son. And we are his house, if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope.”
Hebrews 3:6 ESV
What marks the house of God? Holding fast.
Some manuscripts add “firm to the end” so your Bible may read: “if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end.”
If we are God’s house, we hold onto faith until the end. It’s a proven faith. Faith by persevering.
We often ask, “How do we know if someone is saved?” Like, how can we know for sure? You’ve seen these celebrities lately being baptized or talking about meeting Jesus. Do you find yourself asking if it’s real? How can we know they’re saved? One of my pastors used to say, “Time will tell.” And that’s the idea here.
Faith proves itself over time.
Think about it in your life. This is a silly example, but you might say you love making sourdough bread. Maybe it’s something you picked up during quarantine or something you’ve seen gain traction on the internet. All your friends have started making sourdough—pun intended. You’ve got your starter, some recipes, tips, and tricks. But let’s say, 2 years from now…are you still making sourdough bread? Maybe those of you who started in 2020 have already moved on to something else. Most of you won’t be a sourdough girl in just a few years. Time will tell.
Who you are is revealed over time.
That’s this idea: Faith by persevering. But perseverance isn’t just for the end. We also are called to be persevering people.
Perseverance is one of the marks of being a Christian.
We are a people of perseverance.
We are enduring.
We are long-suffering.
No matter what we are faced with, we are called to hold fast and to persevere. In other words, don’t quit.
I need this reminder. Maybe you do, too.
We live in a culture and time of canceling and quitting any-and-every-thing for any and every reason. But we are a people called to remain.
When it gets hard.
When it’s too dark to see.
When you don’t know what’s next.
When the pain is too much to bear.
When the lies cloud your judgment.
Please, don’t quit.
You have been called for a purpose that only you are meant to complete. God didn’t call you into His house to just sit this one out. He didn’t pick you for the team so that you could ride the bench. He didn’t choose you as his child for you to stay in your room.
There is a calling on your life that’s hinging on you not quitting. You will have countless assignments throughout your lifetime that depend on your perseverance to accomplish.
And He will equip you with everything you need to do it. You aren’t on your own. It’s not even your strength or determination. He empowers, enables, and encourages you the whole way.
When we lose sight of this, it’s easy to want to quit.
But don’t quit.
Instead, persevere.
This verse also calls us to “hold fast the confidence.” “Confidence” can also be read as “boldness.” This confidence comes from knowing whose house it is—God’s house. It’s the kind of confidence of a child who knows their father owns the house and will protect it.
This is not a confidence in ourselves.
But in God.
Second, we are to hold fast to “our boasting in our hope.” It’s not the act of boasting, like bragging, but “glorying” or “rejoicing in” our hope. This is the best kind of boasting. It’s the kind you can do in the enemy’s face.
Our hope is set in a victory that’s already been won.
The enemy likes to boast about our bad circumstances: the gossip being said about us, the shortcomings we have as humans, and anything he can get his hands on to bring us down. But we have this hope—the ultimate hope—the certainty that God has already won, victory is already ours, and He will carry out every single promise.
We can be proud of being God’s people—boasting in our hope. We can be bold in our calling and assignments. We can be confident that the One who has called us is with us to carry it out.
So when you want to quit, consider Who called you. Consider what’s at stake. Consider Who’s with you.
Don’t quit.
Who do you know that needs to be reminded not to quit?
