For ye have need of patience (endurance) that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise – Hebrews 10:36. 

Christianity is not just a name and claims religion. The Word of God has instructions for us to follow, and to receive the promises of God, we must follow the instructions. 

God has promised that no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly before Him. So, if you live according to God’s Word, you shall receive the promises. Don’t fret; God’s Word is true, and He will fulfill His promise to you no matter how long you may have been waiting. He may be waiting for you to be mature enough spiritually to handle the promises without backsliding.

Many Christians lack endurance. They want things quick and in a hurry, and it does not work like that with God. Some prayers are answered quickly, and some have a time frame; in our waiting, our tenacity, our faith, and our gratitude are increased.

Daniel and his companions were taken from their homes to Babylon as teenagers. They were taken from their families and friends to an unfamiliar place where they didn’t speak the people’s language. Daniel purposed to serve the Lord with all his heart in his teenage years.

The king appointed Daniel and his companions to receive a daily provision of the king’s food for three years, after which they would be presented to the king. Daniel purposed in heart he would not defile himself (But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself – Daniel 1:8). Daniel requested that he and his companions be served vegetables rather than the food from the king.

Many would have eaten anything given to them in a foreign land, even though it was against their faith. Daniel’s dedication kept him aware that although he was in a foreign land, he would not eat anything that would offend God. Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians were known for paganism and idolatry, and Daniel purposed in his heart not to eat the meats that may have been offered to one of their pagan gods.

Sometimes, God brings us out of our comfort zone, and we still must be faithful to God during those times. Will you stop praying or praising God because you may be in a valley with no way out? When you’re in a valley, you should pray and praise God more because the Lord will walk with you in your valley and bring you to the mountaintop.

When we’re faithful to God, He will be faithful to us. This does not mean that every day will be sunny. On this life journey, there will be many stormy days. You will get into unfamiliar places. This is when you have to be like Daniel and not defile yourself with anything in the world that would soothe the pain, but go to God with your pain and let Him relieve you.

If you and your spouse have marital problems, take them to God. Don’t allow a third party to get involved. God knows you and your spouse; when you lay it on the line with Him, He can take the mess and bring blessings.

Whatever is going on in your life, don’t stop praying; endure what you’re going through with Jesus in the midst. He will only come in when you offer Him the invitation. Jesus is your Sustainer, and when you place your faith in Him, He will never leave or forsake you.

Christians are soldiers, and they don’t give up; they don’t back down. They fight the good fight of faith through prayer, praise, fasting, reading, and studying God’s Word. Prayer and praise are your strength, and reading God’s Word will encourage you to stand until your change comes.

As Christians, we must stay strong, and this strength comes through staying connected with the Father. If you endure without murmuring or complaining, you will win.