Today is the last day of our Jericho walk. Our feet have pounded the earth as we have made one after another circle around this wall. We have remained quiet, believed, let go, moved forward, found contentment in our portion, and learned to be uncompromising…today with tenacity in our hearts we round this wall seven times and as we come full circle for the last lap, we will shout from the depths of our souls and claim the release of heaven!!!!! Let’s go!!
This is a powerful day, full of hoping in the good things and believing for the power of God to be displayed.
Tenacity: The quality or fact of being able to grip something firmly; grip. The quality or fact of being very determined; determination. The quality or fact of continuing to exist; persistence.
One missing ingredient I see in many, myself included at times, has been tenacity. As believers, sometimes it’s like the slightest resistance will cause us to run and hide, or change our direction because we think, “If this was the right way, then I wouldn’t be facing so much resistance.” This could not be further from the truth.
If you consider the stories of old that we have recently discussed, you have to admit that God’s way is often the way of most resistance.
Resistance and friction creates a spark, and it only takes a spark to start a fire. We need to be “set on fire”. What if the friction in your life is there to serve the purpose of fanning the flames of faith in your heart? What if it’s the resistance training you need to become stronger in your walk with Jesus. He told us to love, he didn’t say be a doormat. His love is powerful. It’s disarming. There is no law that can be made against it. It covers a multitude of sins. It was His love that led Him to carry that cross up the hill and allow Himself to be crucified. For the joy set before Him, He surrendered to the greatest pain imaginable. For you, He did it. For me…for that person who betrayed you and hurt your heart…for the person who hates you without cause…for the one who slandered you…for the one who sinned against you…Yes, He died for ALL.
With tenacity, we hold onto His promises, but also with tenacity we must love others…even when it hurts.
Tenacity…it works in many ways.
There are some people I have had to forgive over and over again. You may wonder why it’s taken so many times…well, it’s because they continued to sin against me. It takes tenacity to love a person like that, but we are called to do it. Not only love…but forgive seven times seventy times.
On the flip side of this, there are things God has created me to accomplish, and as I have met much resistance toward these things, I have had to increase my tenacity…but it’s so good to be challenged. In challenge, we grow.
Tenacity.
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love. 1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Stand firm, and you will win life. Luke 21:19
Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:11-12
365 Days in the Presence 