Romans 15:4-6: “May the God who gives perseverance and encouragement…” (NASB).

There is no doubt that the people of God need encouragement and perseverance during these days. What then is the foundation for these great blessings? They can be found in Paul’s excellent exhortation to the believers in Rome. Paul in verse 4 declares, “For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope.” 

God Himself, as verse 5 says, “gives our perseverance” for the sake of the “same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus.” So, we are not just called to generally persevere. Nor are we called to just persevere alone. God gives our perseverance to us so that we are united in what the Scriptures teach us. 

When we are in unity in God’s Word as His people, we then “with one voice glorify God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” With tensions growing in the weeks to come as communities decide how to reopen, we must be reminded that God is about the business of bringing His church to unity for the purpose of His Glory. 

Be Encouraged.