Tag Archives: spiritual endurance

Hold On in Faith

Why the Chosen Are Not Always the Strongest

“Many are called, but few are chosen.” (Matthew 22:14, NASB)

Beloved, we live in a time when many hearts are growing cold. Some who once stood firm in the faith are now questioning everything they believed. They call it “deconstruction”—a process where people tear down their beliefs, but never rebuild on the truth. Instead of seeking God with open hearts, they walk away from His Word in search of something more comfortable, more convenient, more acceptable to the culture. Still, we must hold on in faith.

But the voice of God still whispers in the noise.

He calls—not the proud or the perfect, but those willing to remember, seek, and stay.

You are not chosen because you win.
You are chosen because you remember.
Because you seek.
Because you stay.

This is the calling of the remnant. This is the heart of the Bride of Christ.

“Not that we are adequate in ourselves… but our adequacy is from God.” (2 Corinthians 3:5, NASB)

What Does It Mean to Be Chosen?

To be chosen by God is not to be the most spiritual, the loudest, or the strongest. It is to be the one who says yes when God calls. It means to hold on in faith no matter what challenges come your way.

Scripture tells us, “There is none righteous, not even one” (Romans 3:10, NASB). We are not chosen because of our strength or worth. We are chosen by mercy.

“He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world.” (Ephesians 1:4, NASB)

And yet, many are invited—but few respond. Why? Not because God’s mercy is lacking, but because their hearts are unwilling.

“I wanted to gather your children together… and you were unwilling.” (Matthew 23:37, NASB)

God never forces love. He draws, He calls, He awakens—but He gives us the freedom to respond. That’s where free will lives: not in earning salvation, but in choosing to receive it.

Faith Is Holding On When Others Let Go

If you are still standing, still praying, still clinging to Yeshua in a world that mocks holiness—you are not forgotten. You are chosen.

  • Hold on in faith when your prayers seem unanswered.
  • Hold on when your heart is tired.
  • Hold on when others let go, and you are tempted to follow.
  • Hold on when all you can say is, “I believe; help my unbelief.” (Mark 9:24, NASB)

To be holy is to hold on.
To abide in the Vine (John 15:4–5).
To press on toward the upward call (Philippians 3:12).
To stay when leaving would be easier.

A Prayer for the Faithful Remnant

Father, we thank You for calling us by Your mercy. Not because we were wise, or strong, or worthy—but because You are good. Give us the strength to remember what You have done. Help us to seek Your face in a world that seeks distraction. Teach us to stay when others walk away. Let us hold on in faith and not waver.

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for You who promised are faithful (Hebrews 10:23, NASB).

In Yeshua’s name we pray—Amen.

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Rooted in God’s Covenant: Prayer and His Unchanging Promises

Prayer That Stands the Test of Time

God’s promises are not fragile—they are unshakable. Yet too often, prayer is treated like a fleeting request rather than a covenant exchange with the Everlasting God. True prayer is rooted in trust, standing firm regardless of delay or difficulty. To understand the power of prayer and His unchanging promises is to grasp the very foundation of faith.

When Abraham made a covenant with God, he did something unforgettable—he built an altar.

“Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said, ‘To your descendants I will give this land.’ So he built an altar there to the Lord who had appeared to him.” (Genesis 12:7, NASB)

The altar was a declaration—not just for Abraham, but for every generation to come. It was a physical reminder that God had spoken, and His Word would not fail.

The Covenant Altar: A Symbol of God’s Unchanging Promises

Throughout Scripture, altars were built as markers of divine encounters. They were not just places of worship—they were signposts of faith, reminders that God had spoken and would remain faithful.

  • Abraham built an altar after God promised him descendants. (Genesis 12:7)
  • Isaac built an altar in Beersheba when God reaffirmed His promise.(Genesis 26:24-25)
  • Jacob built an altar after wrestling with God and receiving a new name.(Genesis 35:7)
  • Elijah rebuilt the altar on Mount Carmel before calling fire from heaven. (1 Kings 18:30-39)

Altars were not built in moments of doubt—they were built in moments of divine certainty. They stood as unchanging testimonies that God’s promises endure through every season.

Why Prayer Must Be Rooted in God’s Covenant

1. Covenant Prayer Anchors You in God’s Faithfulness

Your faith is not built on emotions—it is built on God’s unchanging Word. When you pray, you are not just speaking into the air—you are standing on a promise that has already been established.

“Know therefore that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God, who keeps His covenant and His faithfulness to a thousand generations.” (Deuteronomy 7:9, NASB)

2. Covenant Prayer Endures Beyond the Present Moment

An altar was never built for a single day—it remained for generations. Some prayers are not just for you; they are laying a foundation for those who will come after you.

“For the vision is yet for the appointed time; It hurries toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it delays, wait for it; For it will certainly come.” (Habakkuk 2:3, NASB)

3. Covenant Prayer is a Declaration, Not Just a Request

When Abraham built an altar, he was not just thanking God—he was declaring trust. He built something permanent to mark the place where God spoke. Your prayers should do the same.

“One generation will praise Your works to another, And will declare Your mighty acts.”(Psalm 145:4, NASB)

How to Pray in God’s Covenant Promises

  • Build an altar in prayer. Mark the moments where God speaks, whether through journaling, worship, or verbal declarations.
  • Pray beyond your lifetime. Ask for blessings that will impact future generations.
  • Anchor your faith in the unchanging Word. Do not be swayed by delay—trust that His timing is perfect.
  • Declare what God has already done. Let His past faithfulness build your confidence in the present.

A Call to Build an Altar in Prayer

Are you praying from a place of desperation or from a place of covenant trust? Abraham’s altar was not built out of uncertainty—it was built out of faith in an unshakable promise.

When you pray, you are not just speaking into the present—you are anchoring yourself in the faithfulness of God that stretches across generations. Stand firm, declare His promises, and build an altar of trust in prayer.

Prayer

Father, I stand on Your covenant promises today. You are the Everlasting God, unchanging through generations. Let my prayers be rooted in faith, not in emotion. Strengthen me to trust in Your perfect timing, to declare Your faithfulness, and to pray prayers that outlast my lifetime. I build an altar today, declaring that You are good, You are faithful, and You will complete what You have started. In the mighty name of Yeshua, Amen.

See Also

Covenant Prayer: Remembering God’s Promises

Prayer That Holds to God’s Promises

There are moments in prayer when you feel strong, full of faith, and ready for battle. And then there are moments when you feel exhausted, overwhelmed, and unable to take another step. This is where covenant prayer becomes essential—it is not about your strength, but about remembering God’s faithfulness.

Elijah, a mighty prophet of God, knew what it was to stand in power. He had just called down fire from heaven, defeated the prophets of Baal, and proven the authority of YHWH (1 Kings 18). But after that great victory, he fled in fear. Exhausted and discouraged, he collapsed under a broom tree, feeling utterly alone.

“Then he lay down and fell asleep under a broom tree; but behold, an angel touched him and said to him, ‘Arise, eat!’” (1 Kings 19:5, NASB)

Elijah was ready to give up, but God remembered His covenant with him. God did not rebuke him for his weakness—He sustained him. Covenant prayer is built on this truth: Even when you are weak, God remains faithful. His promises do not fail.

The Broom Tree: A Symbol of God’s Sustaining Covenant

The broom tree, under which Elijah rested, is a desert shrub known for its ability to survive in harsh, dry conditions. It doesn’t grow tall, but its branches spread wide, providing just enough shelter from the scorching heat. It is not a place of luxury—it is a place of survival.

This is where Elijah met God—not in his strength, but in his lowest moment. And God met him there, not with judgment, but with provision.

Covenant prayer is like resting under the broom tree—it is not about what you feel or how strong you are. It is about holding fast to what God has already spoken.

Why Covenant Prayer Sustains You in Every Season

1. Covenant Prayer Is Built on God’s Faithfulness, Not Your Feelings

Elijah felt abandoned, but God had not abandoned him. Your emotions may waver, but God’s promises do not. You do not pray based on what you feel—you pray based on what He has declared.

“God is not a man, that He would lie, Nor a son of man, that He would change His mind; Has He said, and will He not do it?” (Numbers 23:19, NASB)

2. Covenant Prayer Sustains You in Seasons of Weariness

There will be times when you cannot fight, when you feel like giving up. God meets you in those places, just as He met Elijah under the broom tree. He does not require endless striving—He asks you to trust in His provision.

“My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” (Psalm 73:26, NASB)

3. Covenant Prayer Reminds You That God Always Finishes What He Starts

Elijah thought his ministry was over, but God wasn’t finished. If God has called you, He will sustain you. If He has spoken, He will fulfill His word. Covenant prayer declares, “Lord, You have done it before, and You will do it again.”

“For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” (Romans 11:29, NASB)

How to Pray with a Covenant Mindset

  • Declare God’s past faithfulness. Remind yourself of what He has already done.
  • Rest in His provision. Stop striving and allow His presence to sustain you.
  • Speak His promises over your life. Pray the Word of God, not just your emotions.
  • Trust in His perfect timing. Elijah didn’t see the full picture—neither do you. Wait on the Lord.

A Call to Trust in the Covenant

Where do you find yourself today? Are you standing strong, or are you lying under the broom tree, exhausted from the journey? God sees you. He has not forgotten you.

Your prayers do not need to be perfect—they need to be anchored in His unchanging covenant. Rest in His faithfulness, stand on His promises, and trust that He will sustain you in every season.

Prayer

Father, I come before You, not in my strength, but in trust. You are faithful, even when I feel weak. Remind me of Your covenant, of the promises You have spoken over my life. Teach me to rest in Your provision and to pray with unwavering faith. I choose to hold fast to Your Word, knowing that You will complete what You have started. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

See Also

God’s Mercies in Disguise

Beloved, do not be discouraged by the storms of this life. God is moving in your suffering, weariness, and even in your (yet) unanswered prayers. His ways are higher than ours; His purposes are far beyond what we can comprehend (Isaiah 55:8–9). Trust that even in the silence, He is near, and His love for you is unchanging. Do you not know that His promises never fail? “God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do it?” (Numbers 23:19, AMP).

You pray for blessings, peace, healing, and relief—and rightly so, for God is our Healer and Provider. Yet, when the answer seems delayed, consider this: What if the trials you long to escape are the tools God uses to shape your soul? What if the rain, the storms, and tears are His mercies, drawing you closer to Him? “Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. Be assured that the testing of your faith produces endurance” (James 1:2–3, AMP).

Perhaps your greatest disappointments and struggles are not signs of God’s absence but His presence. He is refining you, revealing a thirst within your heart that this world can never satisfy. As Jesus said, “Whoever drinks the water that I give him will never be thirsty again” (John 4:14, AMP). This longing, this ache in your soul, is an invitation to draw nearer to the One who satisfies completely.

When sleepless nights and the path ahead seems dark, remember that God’s grace is sufficient for you. “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is being perfected in your weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9, AMP). In your brokenness, He is strong. In your doubts, He is faithful. In your waiting, He works all things for good (Romans 8:28). Do not let the enemy tempt you to doubt His love.

Beloved, lift your eyes beyond the storm. Trust that even the hardest moments are part of His perfect plan. As the Psalmist declares, “Weeping may endure for a night, but a shout of joy comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5, AMP). His mercies are new every morning, and His faithfulness never fails (Lamentations 3:22–23). 

Press into Him, even when the answers do not come as you expect. Fix your eyes on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of your faith, and allow Him to reveal the depth of His love through the trials you endure. He is near to the brokenhearted and saves those crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18). Let your heart rest in this truth: the trials of this life are not wasted. They are the very mercies of God, drawing you closer to His heart.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we come before You with humble hearts, acknowledging our need for You in every moment. Teach us to trust You, even in the storms. Open our eyes to see Your mercies, even amid trials. Draw us nearer to Your heart, and let Your strength be made perfect in our weakness. Lord, we long for more of You and less of ourselves. May our lives glorify You as we walk through the valleys, trusting in Your faithfulness. In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

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Pressing into God for a better resurrection

Beloved, pause and marvel at the love the Father has poured out upon us—a love so deep that He calls us His children. Can you grasp this? The Almighty God, Creator of heaven and earth, has chosen to call you His own. You are not merely labeled a child of God; you are transformed into one, bearing His name, His spirit, and His very nature. But with this calling comes a profound challenge: to press into Him with unwavering devotion, to discipline ourselves in holiness, and to be willing, even, to suffer for the sake of a greater glory. This is what pressing into God for a better resurrection means.

Scripture speaks of those who endured unimaginable hardship, who “were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection” (Hebrews 11:35 AMP). These saints understood that suffering, when endured for God’s sake, is a path to something infinitely greater. The world did not know them, just as it does not know us, for they sought a better kingdom, a promise unseen but sure. Do you have this same resolve, beloved? Are you willing to press in, to embrace a life of purity and endurance, trusting that every trial refines you and prepares you for His glory? This is about pressing into God for a better resurrection.

This path requires discipline. Jesus Himself taught, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me” (Luke 9:23 AMP). The cross is not light; it’s a symbol of sacrifice and surrender. And yet, for the joy set before Him, Jesus endured it, knowing that the resurrection awaited. We are called to this same discipline, to this same joy. As Paul wrote, “I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified” (1 Corinthians 9:27 AMP). Our walk with God requires a willingness to lay down every hindrance, to endure hardship, and to keep our eyes fixed on the hope of glory.

This hope—the hope of being like Him, of seeing Him as He is, of sharing in His glory—is not idle; it calls us to action. It calls us to purify ourselves, just as He is pure (1 John 3:3 AMP). Every trial, every discipline, every act of surrender brings us closer to that day when we will see Him face to face. This is the prize, the “better resurrection” that awaits. “The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is about to be revealed to us” (Romans 8:18 AMP). Pressing into God for a better resurrection is the path we must follow.

So, I challenge you: press in to God with all that you are. Do not shy away from hardship, but let it draw you nearer to Him. Purify your heart, lay aside every sin and weight that hinders, and run with endurance the race set before you, “fixing your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith” (Hebrews 12:1–2 AMP). This is no easy path, but it is a glorious one, for it leads us to be transformed into His likeness. Pressing into God for a better resurrection requires this dedication.

Stand firm, beloved. Embrace the discipline, the refining, the trials, knowing they are molding you for an eternal inheritance. Let this hope burn in your soul, and let it propel you to a life of pure devotion, for the day is coming when we will see Him in all His glory, and in that moment, we will be like Him. This is the resurrection, the life eternal that awaits. Are you ready to walk this path, to press in with all your heart, knowing that He is faithful? He calls you forward; step into His promise with boldness and faith.

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