Strength & Endurance

May 23, 2025

Dr. Paul Cannings

Trials can be like a hard exam we did not study for. It is not that the material was not covered and that it is not in the textbook (2 Peter 1:3-4). Failure to pass exposed a lack of commitment to study (even though we brought the book to class) and the reality that we did not pay attention in class. “Concerning him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.” (Heb 5:11-14; NASU)

 

Failure to pass an exam can occur if we study the wrong material. We sometimes read a lot of wonderful novels, watch hours of movies, and talk with friends for hours by phone or online, but only review the Bible when it is time for church. “See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.” (Colossians 2:8 NASU)

Sometimes, we fail in trials and want to quit everything because of the power of fear. “For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity.” (2 Tim 1:7-9; NASU)

 

Trials have a purpose (James 1:2-4), so we must endure to the end. It is when we endure that we become more aware of the inner power of the Spirit. We become more aware of how much we need to learn. The Holy Spirit drives us to pay more attention to the correct information and how to trust God. As a result, we learn how to die to self. The beat down that trials bring can lead us to discover our weakness, which creates a need to depend on His strength: the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 3:14-19; 6:10). Paul says that it is in His weakness he became strong (2 Corinthians 12:7-10).