In Luke 21, Messiah is speaking about the tribulation…Right in the middle of it, He says in verse 19
“Possess your lives by your endurance!”
You see, the value of what we possess (own) is measured by our endurance (perseverance under pressure) to hold onto it.
It is only through pressure that our endurance is tested, necessary to retain the gift given to us.
It is human nature to expect to get something for nothing. Only what deems precious to us, will we fight for …..what we will wait for.
King Saul possessed a kingdom he did not value, therefore by the lack of perseverance in waiting on the word of the prophet, he forfeited his possession of the kingdom and position as ruler.
Adam lost the rule and dominion over the earth to Lucifer when he was challenged with an alternative method to rule and still retain the position for which he was created to function in.
As long as Adam remained faithful to the Commandments of the Creator, he retained his position and gift to rightly rule the earth.
Often, we are duped into believing that the easy way is the best way.
It was the second Adam, Messiah, who came to destroy the works of the devil and to reclaim what the first Adam lost. He restored the way for us to achieve the position we lost in the Garden.
Messiah knew the value of what He was fighting for, therefore he persevered under the greatest of persecution and testing. He wasn’t about to lose the Kingdom to the “Philistine armies” but chose to follow the instructions of His Father, waiting for His Word to be fulfilled.
Messiah said, “My burden and yoke is easy and light!”
We are called to pick up our stake, follow Him and bear the load of that which will ensure we make it to the end – receiving the crown of life He promised.
A branch that loses it sap becomes hard and brittle – easily broken under weight and bending – however, a branch that flows with sap, will remain green and flexible, able to bear up under extreme weight and bending.
He never gives us more than we can handle, because He gave us the sap of His Spirit to flow through us – enabling us to bear up under – enduring to the end – owning our eternal life.
It is only under severe trial that we get to own/possess what has been promised us.
What are you trying to possess today? Health? Finances? Strength? Relationships? What value do you place on these gifts (talents) He has given you? How strong will you fight for them regardless of the pressure necessary to retain them?
If they are not worth fighting for, they will be taken away and given to another who will fight.
Remember, Messiah said that whatever we possess, if not used, will be removed from us and given to another who will use it (Matthew 25:28) — this includes salvation – our eternal life!
You only truly possess what you can maintain under testing [1]