12: Perseverance
And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
TWICE DENISE AND I HAVE found ourselves at the top of Masada, looking out over the Dead Sea and marveling at both the Judean countryside and the amazing site on which we stood. There is a reverence one feels as you come to understand what happened here. In some ways, it’s holy. Tourists are quiet as they wander through the ruins.
The Romans conquered Jerusalem in AD 70. Many men, women, and children were massacred. However, a small number of Zealots escaped and fled to Masada. Nine hundred and sixty Jews at Masada resisted the Roman military as it forcefully took control of Judea. As the Romans were closing in, these Zealots feared falling into the Romans’ hands. In one last act of resistance, they all took their own lives.
The lesson of these Zealots is not in their end —suicide is never a good solution. Rather, the lesson is in their unbending devotion. Masada stands for absolute focus that allows no compromise. Masada stands for persevering when the odds are stacked against you.
In the Bible, this is referred to as being steadfast. The Greek word is hypomenō. The word has a military connotation that means staying power, following through, hanging in there when the heat is on. Our Jewish guide informed us that Masada is the location where young men and women are commissioned into the Jewish military. The site was chosen because it illustrates the concept of hypomenō.
God wants to see us be examples of hypomenō. But unwavering faithfulness can be difficult. I know that I need others to encourage me, cheer me on, pray for me, and support me when I fall. With the help of others, I’m able to be an example of hypomenō. In turn, I can help others exhibit this same steadfastness.
Whether it’s the dramatic example of the Zealots at Masada or the quiet example of a Christian friend nearby, we can find encouragement to be faithful to our Lord.
Blessings as you stick to it. Be steadfast. Persevere.
Questions
- Who in your life embodies the spirit of hypomenō? What can you learn from his or her example?
- When have you experienced hypomenō in your own life? What obstacles did you face? How did steadfastness help you overcome those obstacles?
- What discourages you from hypomenō? What could you do to grow in this area?
- In what areas of your life do you need hypomenō right now?