Most theologians believe Paul wrote the book of Hebrews to encourage Hebrew Christians who were becoming discouraged due to persecution and at the verge of abandoning the faith for Judaism. The author wrote to encourage them not to give up. Given what is happening in our country and around the world today, I believe God’s children also need to be encouraged to hold on to their faith. Someone once said that perseverance overcomes all obstacles. Nothing good comes easily and as I often say, life is a marathon, not a sprint. You will be stranded in life if you are not prepared for the long haul.

Many of the things God has planned for your life will not happen overnight; it will take time. So, if you don’t know how to hold on and refuse to give up until you get an answer, you’ll be left behind: “And many false prophets will appear and lead many astray,” Jesus Christ said in Matthew 24: 11 – 13 about the events of the last days; “Sin will be rampant everywhere, cooling many people’s love. But those who endure to the end will be saved.”

To emphasize the importance of prayer, Jesus Christ told the parable of the unjust judge and the persistent widow in Luke 18. We should continue to pray until something happens. We sometimes misunderstand faith in the place of prayer. Some people believe that because I have faith, I only need to pray once and it’s done, whereas another group believes it requires repetition. The Bible says that before Jesus went to Gethsemane, he repeated the same prayers several times. Was this a vain repetition? No! Certain things require consistent prayer and attention until they become reality. Even after you’ve prayed enough about it, you keep praising and thanking God in advance of the manifestation.

Many people are affected by what is happening in Nigeria today. I was deeply moved by the news of the young boy who committed suicide in Jos because the election results did not go as anticipated. Several young people were traumatized by the election results because they were hopeful for the birth of a new Nigeria. It is said, “Those who make peaceful change impossible make violent change inevitable.” Nigeria will never be the same after what has occurred in our country thus far. The young people have already been pushed against the wall.

Many Christians fasted and prayed for a new Nigeria, but here we are. Do not be disheartened; this does not imply that God did not hear our prayer. The devil will not give up without a fight, but victory is ours in Jesus’ name. We simply have to keep going and holding on until God completes what He has begun. No devil can stop God’s plan for Nigeria. Don’t give up.

Let us look at some biblical examples of people who persisted in their faith despite adversity. Consider the Canaanite woman in Matthew 15: 21 – 28. Because she heard of Jesus’ deeds, the woman came expecting healing for her daughter. However, after she opened her heart to Jesus, He ignored her! Even Jesus’ disciples begged him to send her away because she was bothering them. Such attitude would have turned anyone off. “I was sent to help the Jews—the lost sheep of Israel—not the Gentiles,” Jesus said to the woman when He finally spoke to her. Instead of being discouraged, she worshipped Him and begged Him once more: “Sir, help me!” Jesus replied, “It doesn’t seem right to take bread from the children and throw it to the dogs.” This would have been the pinnacle of insults but the woman responded, “Yes, it is, because even the puppies beneath the table are allowed to eat the crumbs that fall.” Jesus was moved by this woman’s faith and told her, “Woman, your faith is great, and your request is granted.” And her daughter was instantly healed. This is the kind of faith God wants us to have in these final days, refusing to accept no for an answer.

Consider what the Bible says about Abraham’s perseverance in Hebrews 6: 9 – 15. “But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you… For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister… That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.  For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,  saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise” [TLB].

Another such story can be found in 1Kings 18:1-2,41-46. ^“And it came to pass after many days, that the word of the Lord came to Elijah in the third year, saying, Go, shew thyself unto Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth.  And Elijah went to shew himself unto Ahab. And there was a sore famine in Samaria.  And Elijah said unto Ahab, Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain.  So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees,  And said to his servant, Go up now, look toward the sea. And he went up, and looked, and said, There is nothing. And he said, Go again seven times. And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man’s hand. And he said, Go up, say unto Ahab, Prepare thy chariot, and get thee down that the rain stop thee not.  And it came to pass in the mean while, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain” [KJV].

One lesson to be drawn from this story is how Elijah remained in the place of prayer until God’s promise was fulfilled. He was certain that rain would fall because God had spoken. When God says in His word that He will do anything, hold on to that promise and keep going until the answer comes. God is not a man who lies; He will keep His word. Perseverance overcomes all obstacles. Whatever the situation in our country, know that God is all-powerful and will handle it. Hold on to God’s word. God is at work, no doubt about it. God is the creator of this nation, and He has a plan for it that no one can deny. So, don’t give up; instead, keep believing.