Devotional thought: The benefit of persevering with God

When life is tough...when things are not going as smoothly as you thought ...when others seem to get treated better than you....it is easy to loose heart and give up.
However giving up guarantees you will miss out on something!!!
In the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.....there was a surprise silver medalist....David Morris in the men's aerials competition....but it almost didn't happen
News reports say
He was committed to competitive aerial skiing, however constantly there were set backs and he encountered many obstacles.   Other aerial skiers were assisted by the Australian Winter Olympic Institute, however David was regularly rejected.   However he persisted in the sport despite these setback.  Then in at the 2010 in Vancouver he finished 13th and was disappointed....shortly afterwards he received an injury and decided it was time to retire...but as he was recovering he felt aerial skiing was something he was meant to be doing.  So he started competing again...he accepted encouragement from those who seemed to have an easier ride than him (on the day before the Olympic final jump he received an encouraging from Lydia Lassila)....and then his perseverance paid off....have a look at his performance here  .  He is now a Winter Olympian silver medalist and a few Australian officials have apologised.

Hebrews 10:36-39 encourages all Christians to persevere, especially as we encounter challenges and difficulties.....
36 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. 37 For,
“In just a little while,
    he who is coming will come
    and will not delay.”
38 And,
“But my righteous one will live by faith.
    And I take no pleasure
    in the one who shrinks back.”
39 But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.

Think about the times you have been challenged because of your faith.
What do you think persevering with God and your faith in Him is important, what rewards do we receive?

Persevering with God is not so much about what we do...but what we receive from God because we remain in relationship with Him...
David Morris by remaining connected to the sport aerial skying...had the opportunity to receive the Silver medal....likewise if we remain connected to God we have the opportunity to receive the gift of eternal life that only God can offer.....