This blog post digs deeper and gets into the meat of the word Persevere, which is the title of the free devotional ebook. Check out the introductory post here.
Persevere is not a common word… so let’s break it down.
per (through)
severe (grave, weighty, serious)
Persevere means going through something intense.
To persevere is to endure.
In the Bible, the Greek word ὑπομένω (hupomeno)
Is translated both as persevere and endure.
It’s Greek, so let’s break it down, too.
Hupomeno is a compound word:
Hupo + meno
Hupo is a preposition that can mean under.
Meno is abide or remain.
So, put them together:
Hupomeno is remaining under.
Steadfast.
Not giving up.
Hupomeno is found in these well-loved verses:
Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. –
Hebrews 12:1-3
Here you are.
This is it.
The ultimate example of perseverance.
The darkest day ever was when Jesus went to the cross.
If you combined all of humanity’s hardships throughout the history of time, it still would not compare to the agony of that dark day.
He endured.
He persevered.
He remained under the weight and severity of the cross.
He bore the sin of the world.
And, He emerged victorious.
The Ultimate Perseverer.
He is the One we should fix our eyes on.
Gazing intensely at Him as we run our race
with His perseverance and endurance.
You see,
if you have believed on Jesus,
that He took your sin and died in your place,
then His life is your life.
His Spirit dwells in you,
and He Himself gives you the strength to go on.
But you know what? He’s not gruff and rough.
He knows your heart needs encouragement as you persevere.
So that’s what we’re going to look at in the next blog post.
His tender comfort.
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