Just hang in there?

“Well, hang in there,” is a phrase meant to comfort that we have all said to somebody. We tell a woman with cancer, a guy whose wife has filed for divorce, an investor whose lost most of his savings - “Just hang in there.” What’s that supposed to mean, anyway? Are we advising grim determination, slogging on through the muck of life? I am all for perseverance, but especially for the disciple, that means more than just ‘hanging in there.’ I will come back to that thought in a moment.


Most of the books I read are 'one-timers,' meaning I never pick them up again. There is one book in my library that shows the wear that many handlings, many reading have caused. Eugene Peterson published it in 1980. The title is, A Long Obedience in the Same Direction, with the sub-title; Discipleship in an Instant Society. The book is an exposition of Psalms 120-134, the Songs of Ascent, a metaphor of the life lived upwards to God. In one chapter he speaks to Perseverance, with words drawn from the 129th Psalm:

"A song of ascents. They have greatly oppressed me from my youth- let Israel say- they have greatly oppressed me from my youth,  but they have not gained the victory over me. Plowmen have plowed my back and made their furrows long.


But the Lord is righteous; he has cut me free from the cords of the wicked.
May all who hate Zion be turned back in shame. May they be like grass on the roof, which withers before it can grow; with it the reaper cannot fill his hands, nor the one who gathers fill his arms. May those who pass by not say, “The blessing of the Lord be upon you; we bless you in the name of the Lord.” (Psalm 129, NIV)
The Psalm reflects the curious state of those who trust in God; they may be afflicted, yet they are hopeful; they may be crushed, but they are not destroyed. It speaks to the anger that pulses in us when we are mistreated and falsely accused, all the while reminding us that 'the Lord is righteous.' It is an activist Psalm that does not call the Believer into a Zen-like disconnect from the reality of life, nor to a fatalistic resignation to whatever happens. It gives us more encouragement than just ‘hang in there!’ The godly prays and hopes for vindication of his cause, trusting the Almighty to 'turn back his enemies in shameful defeat.' (NLT)

Perseverance is about more than just not giving up or just 'putting on the game face.' Perseverance is a life that is lived in the 'now and not yet,' that, in the middle of the mess we call life, holds onto the faithfulness and eternality of God.
I am persevering today! Some parts of my life are glorious and blessed. Some are marked with disappointment and missed expectations. Some are ‘under development,’ the end of the story yet to be told.
In the middle of it all, am I sometimes afraid? A little.
Am I sometimes angry? Yes, I am.
Am I occasionally sad? Beyond words.
Am I persevering? Yes, because I know God reigns!

Eugene Peterson writes at the conclusion of that chapter in his book: "Christian discipleship is a decision to walk in His ways, steadily and firmly, and then finding that the Way integrates all our interests, passions, and gifts, our human needs and our eternal aspirations. It is the way of life we are created for. The are endless challenges to keep us on the growing edge of faith; there is always a righteous God with us to make it possible for us to persevere."
Here’s a word from the Word. Note that the encouragement offered is much more than ‘just hang in there!’ It is a word of triumph! Receive it. Believe it! Live it!
"So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.
For in just a very little while, “He who is coming will come and will not delay. But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him.”
But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved." (Hebrews 10:35-39, NIV)
"May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen." (Hebrews 13:20-21, NIV)
_________________

Truehearted, wholehearted, faithful and loyal,
King of our lives, by Thy grace we will be;
Under the standard exalted and royal,
Strong in Thy strength we will battle for Thee.
Peal out the watchword! Silence it never!
Song of our spirits, rejoicing and free;
Peal out the watchword! Loyal forever!
King of our lives, by Thy grace we will be.

Frances Havergal, 1878
Public Domain