Sermon On Perseverance

She bathed its wounds and applied a crepe bandage to prevent infection. She then placed a cardboard box with a pillow inserted on the kitchen table to provide a shelter and resting place for the animal. She gave the rabbit food and water and left it in peace to recover from his ordeal.

A few days later, after the wounds had healed sufficiently, the mother and her son took the rabbit back into the field and released it. The rabbit was once again free to explore its little world and eventually made its way back to the warren. Deuteronomy 15:1-5 reminds us: “At the end of every seven years you shall grant a release. And this is the manner of the release: every creditor shall release what he has lent to his neighbor. He shall not exact it of his neighbor, his brother, because the Lord's release has been proclaimed. Of a foreigner you may exact it, but whatever of yours is with your brother your hand shall release. But there will be no poor among you; for the Lord will bless you in the land that the Lord your God is giving you for an inheritance to possess - if only you will strictly obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all this commandment that I command you today.”

Life’s problems, obstacles or setbacks are our opportunity to learn and grow. We may reflect on our mistakes, sometimes with regret, but glean new knowledge and experience from them. These are sometimes referred to as individual tests or trials of life, but the success achieved at the end of the road can be considered extremely rewarding. James 1:2-4 confirms: “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

Amen.