>>>
Matthew 24:13 - Faith and Endurance.

Matthew 24:13 (ESV) But the one who endures 
to the end will be saved. 

Matthew 24:13 (NCV) But those people who 
keep their faith until the end will be saved. 

INTRODUCTION

Chapters 24 and 25 of Matthew comprise what 
is known as the Olivet discourse, one of Jesus' 
three great discourses. (The other two are the 
Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7 and the upper 
room discourse in John 13-17.) On the Mount of 
Olives, Jesus discussed future events, including the 
destruction of Herod's magnificent temple and the 
judgment coming upon Israel (which would occur in AD 
70), as well as some of the events surrounding 
his second coming. His intent was to encourage 
his followers always to be ready. We don't know 
when Jesus will come back, but we do know that we 
should prepare for his return and live as though he 
is coming soon. [NIV Once A Day Bible] 

The verse just before this one says: Sin 
will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many 
will grow cold Matthew 24:12 NLT. WOW! " 
Doesnt that describe the days in which we are 
living. 

COMMENTARY PEARL

Deep Roots
   A friend of mine makes beautiful bowls 
and candlesticks from old wood.  
   What is your favorite wood to work 
with? I asked him one day.  
   I suppose it would be from the trees 
that grow along the ridgetops of the Appalachian 
Mountains, he answered. Because of the harsh 
climate, those trees grow very slowly. Its tough 
and hard to carve; but anything made from it 
will be durable and very beautiful.  
   Those trees have been stunted and twisted 
into grotesque shapes by the fierce, cold winds. 
But when I saw his work, I understood that what 
was once ugly and battered could be made into 
something exquisite by a masterful hand. Like those 
trees along our windswept mountain ridges, we 
often find ourselves buffeted by storms - the 
storms of life.  
   Like those trees, we need deep roots that 
will supply us with the spiritual nutrients 
needed to grow strong in our faith and to keep us 
anchored when we are tossed about by lifes trials. 
And over time, we will become beautiful - and 
durable - under His hand.  
   What storms of life has your faith 
brought you through? [Peace for Each Day by Billy 
Graham] 

COMMENTARY

   A relationship with God is our only means 
of finding fulfillment and satisfaction in 
life. But it isn't always easy. One of the most 
frustrating aspects of that relationship is couched in 
Matthew 25:5 - "The bridegroom was a long time in 
coming." The primary purpose of this parable is to 
depict the return of Jesus, but the dynamic of 
waiting applies to so much more. Abraham waited long 
years for God to fulfill a promise. Joseph waited 
a lifetime for his dream to become reality. 
The Israelites were in Egypt for 430 years 
before God delivered them through Moses.  
   One of the keys of life with God, 
apparently, is waiting. We can be encouraged by the fact 
that, according to Hebrews 6:12, it is "through 
faith and patience" that we inherit God's 
promises. Delay is not his denial of those promises. 
It's part of the process of fulfilling them. [NIV 
Once A Day Bible re Mat. 25:5] 

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

   As long as you focus on Me, you are safe. 
If you gaze too long at the myriad problems 
around you, you will sink under the weight of your 
burdens. When you start to sink, simply call out 
"Help me, Jesus!" and I will lift you up. 
   The closer you live to Me, the safer you 
are. Circumstances around you are undulating, and 
there are treacherous-looking waves in the 
distance. Fix your eyes on Me, the One who never 
changes. By the time those waves reach you, they will 
have shrunk to proportions of My design. I am 
always beside you, helping you face today's waves. 
The future is a phantom, seeking to spook you. 
Laugh at the future! Stay close to Me. (Phi. 4:7; 
Mat. 14:30; Heb. 12:2) [Jesus Calling by Sarah 
Young] 

   Let Me prepare you for the day that 
stretches out before you. I know exactly what this day 
will contain, whereas you have only vague ideas 
about it. You would like to see a map showing all 
the twists and turns of your Journey. You'd feel 
more prepared if you could somehow visualize what 
is on the road ahead. However, there is a 
better way to be prepared for whatever you will 
encounter today: Spend quality time with Me. 
   I will not show you what is on the road 
ahead, but I will thoroughly equip you for the 
journey. My living Presence is your Companion each 
step of the way. Stay in continual communication 
with Me, whispering My Name whenever you need to 
redirect your thoughts. Thus, you can walk through 
this day with your focus on Me. My abiding 
Presence is the best road map available. (Exo. 33:14; 
John 15:4-7) [Jesus Calling by Sarah Young] 

Lesson in Perseverance " Songbirds:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjnES-GEhBg

LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY 

Matthew 24:13 - Faith and Endurance.

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2015/20150205-1149.html 

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2000/20000207-1630.html 

Matthew 10:22 - Enduring To The End By 
Focusing On Christ! 

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2015/20150115-2032.html 

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

https://abible.com/links/