The Obtaining is on the Other Side of Enduring

And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife. (Hebrews 6:15-16)

There is a phrase in Hebrews 6:15 that tells you everything you need to know about how Abraham received the promise: “After he had patiently endured.” It wasn’t immediately or quickly; it came after. Abraham endured the years of waiting, went through seasons that did not make sense, and had faith in the moments when everything the promise required seemed to be going in the wrong direction. After that, he obtained the promise. The obtaining was on the other side of the enduring.

That is not a discouraging word. It is one of the most encouraging things in Scripture. It means the promise is still there, even if you haven’t seen it in the natural yet. It has not been canceled because the time it is taking feels too long. It is waiting on the other side of patiently enduring. The same faith and patience that brought Abraham to the life of blessing will bring you there, too. Nobody builds their house on sand and obtains the promise. But the person who builds their life on the Word can endure anything, because what they are standing on does not move.

Abraham's life was not built on sand or quicksand. It was built on the Word he received from God. He heard it, received it, believed it, confessed it, and acted on it. Sure, he made some mistakes along the way; all of us do. But he still arrived at being blessed in all things. You have made some mistakes too. But guess what? You can still be totally blessed. God keeps His word. He honors faith. And after you have patiently endured, you will obtain the promise.

Practical Application

Write down the promises you are currently standing on and how long you have been believing God for them. Then commit to enduring. Refuse to give up or pull back and never move your mouth away from what God said.

Romans 5:3; Luke 21:19