We find the best example of steadfastness in the life of Jesus. He is the very Teacher of righteousness Who, by His life, gave us an example of courage and patience in every circumstance of life, and by His death established forever all His laws and principles, which were given for our good.
The distinctive feature of Christ’s teaching is that He first personally experienced the working of all the laws of happiness and, from childhood, endured every trial of His faith that continually came upon Him.
Jesus’ steadfastness was determined by His deep knowledge of God’s will through the study of the Scriptures and by His unwavering obedience to the light He had received. Living amid moral darkness and ignorance, our Lord remained faithful to God’s principles and never compromised when the requirements of the law were at stake.
The books of the Old Testament give many examples of how the steadfastness of God’s faithful people is rewarded and what happens to those who choose to follow their own way.
These examples strengthened Jesus during His trials, and they can also be a source of support and comfort for us in difficult times.
The steadfastness of the captives in the book of Daniel amazes us and inspires us to display the same spirit when trials come to us. Yet Christ’s later life and His example of steadfastness provide even more material for deep study and reflection.
Jesus not only gave an example of faithfulness to all God’s requirements, but also became the Savior of humanity from inevitable death and the power of sin.
By His example, the Son of God showed us how it is possible to live without sinning, how to overcome the temptations of this world, and how to trust God during difficult periods of life. Jesus revealed God’s true character, demonstrating in His own life how God loves the sinner, how He desires to save everyone, and how God’s power can work in any faithful person.
The enemy of souls trembled in the presence of Jesus, yet sought every possible way to shake His faith. But Christ’s steadfastness was determined by His daily commitment of Himself into God’s hands.
I am steadfast. This is not something new in the spiritual world, but the result of my close relationship with God, Who becomes so dear and close to me that it is easier for me to die than to sin and betray His sacred trust.
But the principle of steadfastness does not enter my life all at once or in a single day. Sadly, the path to this condition of heart leads through many tests, falls, mistakes, and various trials. And every victory in Jesus is preceded by the study of God’s will as set forth in the Bible. Spiritual books have played an important role in my growth—books that tell about the lives of believers, offer a deeper understanding of God’s will, and explain His plans for the last days. All this strengthened me in the truth.
It is not difficult to endure trials steadfastly when your heart is with God. You simply can no longer live any other way, and obstacles along the path of faith do not throw you off course but become a normal part of life. The troubles of future events no longer frighten you, but prompt you to establish the closest possible relationship with Christ. And Christ leads me onward.
My path to God leads through Mount Calvary. When I came there, I realized my need of a Savior, repented, and received forgiveness of my sins. And the Lord led me onward, opening new horizons of God’s love and the prospect of a happy life with Christ and in Christ. Abiding in this blessing, I begin to understand that the greatest reward for my soul is to look upon the world from the height of the cross, experiencing the love that Jesus has for fallen humanity. Faith expressed through steadfastness lifts me above this world, and death does not frighten me. Only one thing causes me fear: what if my human heart fails to withstand the coming trials and lets me down at the most crucial moment? Yet God, knowing my fallen nature, gives me His grace and His Spirit and preserves me from all evil in this struggle. When trials come, I simply declare my decision to remain faithful to God, to love no matter what, and I set my mind in that direction. Help from above comes, and I emerge victorious, although in the eyes of the world I appear to be a pitiful and naive person who cannot stand up for himself or fight back.
I look at how the Lord conducted Himself when He was led to His death, and I marvel at His courage and steadfastness. Possessing power and authority, and knowing that legions of angels would come to His aid if He only asked, Jesus chose not to turn aside from the plan laid out for my Salvation and stood firm in that decision. He did not waver and remained faithful unto death, regardless of everything.
Does the Lord expect the same courage from His children? Yes. And He prepares each of His sons and daughters for the coming trials of faith—not in fear and horror of the events ahead, but in the love and happiness of advance preparation, anticipating the next test, which will be a little more difficult than the one before it.
And the Lord commands us to rejoice. He assures me that it is a special blessing to be persecuted and to suffer for my faith and my love for the Savior. Perhaps many will not experience this Heavenly joy during the trials themselves and will lose their lives without ever tasting this earthly blessedness. But Eternity will fully make up for what they lacked and will forever gladden the hearts of those who chose to be faithful unto death and received the Crown of Life.
Rejoice and be exceeding glad—this is the goal we must set for ourselves during tribulation and persecution. And if the Lord Himself commands it, then we should ask Him to teach us how to do it. From the example of the apostles’ trials, we see that this is possible.
To be steadfast means also to preserve a happy spirit, which is not difficult when the heart has been trained and loves those who cause you pain and trouble. During trials, I repeatedly noticed that when I asked myself whether I was happy in that situation and saw that the motives of love and faithfulness dominated my mind, I continually experienced a special joy because I had overcome. My love helped me through every trial. Although my face might not have expressed any special joy or gladness at the time, that too came later.
It is very easy to rejoice when you know that this is God’s will and that these laws have been written in your heart by God’s hand. Then you see every trial as a new opportunity for victory and coming joy.
I have also noticed that unbelievers do not escape the fire of trials either. But they suffer greatly from them and sometimes lose their minds as they recall the horrors they experienced. Yet for many of them, the hardships of life can revive their interest in spiritual values. I feel very sorry for them, but if they can be saved even in this way, then may God’s will be done. This too is worth rejoicing over, in the hope that the Lord will save these lost souls as well.
While we still live in peaceful times, we need to build our little house of happiness so that in the near future we may remain in the warmth and comfort of its strong walls, trusting in God and awaiting a joyful meeting with Him.
And the Lord promises steadfast people a great reward in Heaven. I believe it will be something very good and wonderful. For now, I have a choice: to be steadfast, rejoice, and be exceeding glad, or to fall, become discouraged, and be unhappy. I choose happiness.
Bible verses for this chapter:
Matthew 5:10–12; Isaiah 53:7–8; Matthew 26:62–68; Luke 23:8–9, 27–34, 46; John 18:36–37; 1 Peter 3:17; 4:12–16; 1 Corinthians 10:10–13; Philippians 2:5–16; Daniel 12:10; Luke 8:13; Acts 5:40–42; Hebrews 2:17–18; James 1:2–4, 12; Revelation 3:10