Last Saturday night I fell asleep, only to be awaken by a word. “Persist!” I rolled over and went back to sleep. Again, I was awakened by the word, “Persist!”

I said, “I get it, Lord. Thank You for speaking to me.” And then I closed my eyes and went to sleep. “Persist!” came the word again.

He obviously wasn’t telling me to persist in my sleeping, so I got up and went to my prayer space. I felt in my heart that he wanted me to write down and meditate on four scriptures: Proverbs 24:16, 1 Corinthians 15:58, Galatians 6:9, and Psalm 11. I won’t quote them all here, but I encourage you to take a moment to look them up. As I obediently chewed on these scriptures, the Lord’s charge became clear. God is calling us to continue steadfastly in spite of all opposition or circumstances.

The word of the Lord for me, for you, and for every believer is PERSIST IN FAITH. Hold tightly and confidently to the words He has spoken to you. A word from the Lord is of immense value, and the spirit of this world will do all in its power to steal it from you.

The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times. – Psalm 12:6

In Psalm 12:6 “furnace on the ground” is literally “earthen crucible”. A crucible is a bowl in which you heat up and melt metals. Usually they’re made of a thick, strong metal so that they can withstand the heat required to melt the refining metal it’s holding. In our scripture, the crucible is made of earth, or dirt, just like you and I. Seven means complete and perfect, and silver symbolizes redemption. Refining is the testing of our faith.

Our hearts are crucibles for the words of God. He puts His word in our hearts and then allows fiery conditions and circumstances to test our faith, thereby maturing and perfecting His words in us. The words of the Lord are the redemptive power of Christ made perfect through our persistence.

PERSIST! PERSIST! PERSIST!

All around us we’ve seen “prophets” and Christian leaders waffling in what they think God is doing. As they publicly act and speak in a wishy-washy manner, of course the people they lead are stumbling and tripping just like the world around them. We’re better than this! We believe in a relational, loving Father God who speaks to all of His children and especially to the prophets. Yet as the worldly propaganda machine challenges us with (at best) half truths, we apologetically cower. Instead of doubling down on God’s words, we embrace doubt and then quote the party-line of the spirit of this world.

We must repent from repenting to the world around us. Remember the word God first gave you. Put it back in your heart, and step back into the heat so that God’s word will be made perfect in you. Better yet, surround yourself with other faithful dirt furnaces, other followers of Christ who are committed to continuing steadfastly in what our Father God has spoken until Christ’s redemptive power is made perfect in us.

Let’s persist together!
Matt

Matt Neese
Wellspring.Live

DAILY WORD FOR JANUARY 13, 2021

Don’t be afraid, for the time is coming. A great uncovering will precede a great awakening. The deception of the “gray zone” will be swept away as the contrast becomes sharp and clear between the darkness and the light. When evil and good are in evident opposition, conviction stings the hearts of humankind and each and every individual must make a decision.

Some have stood as guileless and forthright children, openly pointing at the shadowy agendas of this world; and they’ve grown weary from the enemy threats and lies. They cry out to God as Psalm 13 says, “How long, O Lord? Consider and answer, lest my enemy say, ‘I have prevailed over him,’ lest my foes rejoice because I’m shaken.”

The Lord says the time is coming. Stand firm, hold fast, fear not! When daybreak comes, He will increase your volume and your platform so that you can proclaim all He has been speaking to you. In this brief waiting, listen to His voice, record His whispers, and prepare to testify. Trust in His unfailing love, rejoice in His salvation, and sing because He is good to you.

• 1/13 Genesis 13, Psalms 13, Joshua 13, Matthew 10:24-42
• 1/14 Genesis 14, Psalms 14, Joshua 14, Matthew 11
• 1/15 Genesis 15, Psalms 15, Joshua 15, Matthew 12:1-21
• 1/16 Genesis 16, Psalms 16, Joshua 16, Matthew 12:22-50
• 1/17 Genesis 17, Psalms 17, Joshua 17, Matthew 13:1-32
• 1/18 Genesis 18, Psalms 18, Joshua 18, Matthew 13:33-58
• 1/19 Genesis 19, Psalms 19, Joshua 19, Matthew 14:1-21
• 1/20 Genesis 20, Psalms 20, Joshua 20, Matthew 14:22-36

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