THE DISCIPLINE OF CONSISTENCY Though it takes great discipline, one of the most important keys to success is consistency. The Israelites had been walking in the desert for 40 years. That’s 14,600 days of putting one foot in front of the other. They finally arrive at Jericho, which was on the edge of their Promised Land, and God tells them to walk for seven more days. This is such a powerful picture to us of trust, obedience, perseverance, and consistency. At the battle of Jericho, Joshua and his men had to do the same task every day for one week. God told them to march around the walls for seven days. Through this simple exercise, God is building up the faith of His people. Put yourself in the Israelites’ sandals for a moment. They are standing in the shadow of a huge obstacle—the double fortified walls of Jericho—with a battle plan that didn’t make any sense. The first few days were probably okay, but what if by the fifth or sixth day, a few soldiers grew tired of walking and said, “This is ridiculous. Nothing is happening. Let’s stop this nonsense.” There always comes a point in the journey where it’s tempting to quit, but Joshua and the Israelites kept marching. Every day, step after step, they put their trust in God. The task may have sounded boring and the instructions may have seemed trivial. But the secret to most successes is doing the right thing and doing it each and every day. For believers, this means having a quiet time every morning to read your Bible, pray, and seek the Lord. It means attending church every weekend. It means living out the fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), putting on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6), loving others (1 Corinthians 13), and letting your light shine (Matthew 5:14-16). Not just some days, but each and every day. As you march around the walls that represent your own personal Jericho, don’t grow weary. Don’t lose heart. You must keep pressing forward. You have to persevere. And you have to be consistent. Chip away at the walls piece-by-piece and step-by-step, and you will eventually see those walls fall down. — Kanayo Dike-Oduah [God is faithful. Trust Him. Obey Him. Each step of faith decreases any doubt you may have, and God will be your strength to help you persevere. Remember, each and every day, no matter how hard things may get, even in lack, pain and suffering, that Gods grace is sufficient for you. And when you look back at the days, weeks and months before, youll be reminded that only GOD brought you through them. May that encourage your faith that He will continue to be all you need to be victorious over any battle you face. #NeverGiveUp] Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. (Hebrews 12:1-3 NKJV) Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. (James 1:12 NKJV)
Posted on: Tue, 09 Sep 2014 14:46:54 +0000
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