Those of us on the excursion to the national park in Thailand had no idea that the place where the van dropped us off was at the top of a mountain, and that the advertised 30-minute hike would take us down the mountain through a narrow gorge with some of the most spectacular scenery that we had seen on this trip, or on any other trip, for that matter. The trail was simply down, down, and down the canyon, following the course of a raging river, walking on narrow well-worn paths and crisscrossing the river on narrow bamboo bridges constructed by the local villagers. Whenever the path became too steep, carefully constructed bamboo stairs fastened by vines from the local foliage took us down the canyon, one step at a time. Photo ops were plentiful as we took in the beauty of our surroundings.

But even in the midst of our beautiful surroundings, it was evident that we were all getting tired, really tired. We had been traversing down the gorge, one foot in front of the other, for well over an hour and we were all exhausted. Finally, as the gorge opened into a broader valley and the river ceased its roar, our guide told us that the van was waiting for us at the tribal village. We were all excited about that, and so I asked an obvious question, “Where is the village?” to which the guide pointed into the distance and responded, “Well, it’s just over the next mountain.”

A few of us wanted to just sit down and cry and wait for a wild donkey to venture along the path and carry us to the village. But there would be no donkey, and we abandoned all hope of such a rescue. We all knew that we needed to make the journey on our own, one laboring step at a time. In the end, our journey was about perseverance and strength, and as those two essential elements worked together, we finally reached our destination where the villagers had coffee and snacks waiting for us at the end of our two-hour trek.

Regarding the race of life in which we are all engaged, the Apostle Paul praised the Thessalonian Christians for their perseverance in the midst of trial (2 Thes. 1:4). He also commended the Christians in Rome for their continuing efforts to “do good,” even to those who were persecuting them (Rom. 2:7), and that their perseverance in doing so was producing in them “proven character” (Rom. 5:3).

James tells us that we should be “joyful” during those “faith-testing” trials because those trials produce endurance which will make us mature in our faith, lacking in no good thing (Js. 1:2-4). Furthermore, James reminds all of those who love Christ that perseverance under trial will result in receiving a “crown of life” as we stand before Him at the end of our days (Js. 1:12).

But let’s not forget that in order to persevere, we also need strength, His strength. For those of you who remember the 1981 film, “Chariots of Fire,” you will recall the special moment where Eric Liddell stood at a church service and read from the Old Testament Book of Isaiah (Is. 40:28-31). I’d simply like to close this blog with this passage. Please read, remember, and be encouraged if you are tempted now, or at any other time, to “throw in the towel.” In fact, after you read it once, it just might do you good to read it again. Blessings to each of you.

“Do you not know? Have you not heard?

The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth

Does not become weary or tired.

He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might, He increases power.

Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly,

Those who wait on the LORD will gain new strength;

They will mount up with wings like eagles,

They will run and not get tired,

They will walk and not faint.”