Is it important to persevere?

Starting point: 1 Samuel 30

“Trouble at Ziklag”

• Last weeks episode – Achish says ‘NO’

• A quiet journey

• Ziklag – David under pressure

• David gets help

• David’s natural response

• When things get tough, find your strength to carry on, in God

• Persevere - DON’T give up

Reasons why we give up under pressure

• We get tired

• It’s hard

• We see no reason to carry on

Reasons to persevere even though we are tired and it’s hard

• We see a reason to carry on

• God has spoken

• We have vision

• We see the bigger picture

Where we need to persevere

• Parents

• Husbands and wives

• Difficult circumstances

• Prayer

• God’s calling

• The church

• Projects

Don’t give up – Gal 6 v 9

• Asa – the king with poorly trotters

• “Be strong, don’t give up and you will be rewarded”

• “Remember your past victories – God is with you if you are with Him”

• “The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him”

Perseverance is a Godly characteristic

• - Literally!

• God perseveres - 2 Peter 3 v 9

• If we persevere, the nature and character of God is seen in us