April 12
Persevere with
Purpose
“But be strong. Don’t give up. God will reward you for your work.”
2 Chronicles 15:7 (NIrV)
Wade stared at the email on his laptop screen for what felt like an eternity. The words “Unfortunately, you did not pass” seemed to mock him. It was the third time he had failed his licensing exam. His dream of becoming an engineer, the profession he had aspired to since childhood, felt more like a fantasy now.
He closed the laptop and slumped onto the couch. His thoughts spiraled: Maybe I’m just not good enough. Maybe this dream isn’t for me. His friends were already advancing in their careers, while Wade felt stuck, watching life pass him by. He clenched his fists in frustration.
The next morning, Wade walked into the library, determined to try again. As he found a quiet corner, he couldn’t ignore the doubt gnawing at him. Flipping through his notes, he felt his resolve slipping away. "God," he whispered under his breath, "why is this so hard? Why does it feel like You’ve left me to figure this out alone?"
Later that evening, Wade decided to take a break. Scrolling aimlessly through his phone, he stumbled upon a verse shared by a friend: “But be strong. Don’t give up. God will reward you for your work.” Something about it caught his attention, and he read it again, letting the words sink in.
For the first time, Wade felt a glimmer of hope. Don’t give up. God will reward your work. He thought about how he had prayed for success but had rarely asked for God’s guidance or strength in the process. That night, Wade prayed differently: “Lord, I need You. I can’t do this alone. Please help me to trust in Your timing and to keep going, even when it’s hard.”
In the weeks that followed, Wade approached his studies with renewed determination. He joined a study group, asked for help when he needed it, and relied on prayer to steady him on difficult days. The fear of failure was still there, but it no longer controlled him. He knew he wasn’t alone in this journey.
The day of the exam arrived. Wade sat in the testing room, his palms sweaty but his heart calm. He whispered a final prayer before beginning. Weeks later, he opened an email and saw the words he had been waiting for: “Congratulations, you passed!”
Tears streamed down his face. He knew the journey wasn’t just about passing the test—it was about learning perseverance and trusting in God’s plan.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for reminding us that You are with us in our struggles.
Like Wade, we often feel discouraged when things don’t go as planned.
Help us to trust in Your timing and to keep going, even when the path seems impossible.
Strengthen our hearts and give us the courage to persevere, knowing that
You will reward the work we do in faith.
Lord, remind us that we are never alone and that every step forward, no matter how small, is part of Your purpose for our lives.
May we always lean on You for strength and wisdom.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
