Daniel 10:12 – “Then he said to me, “Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words.” 

The idea of persistence was deeply impressed upon my consciousness as I read, prayed, and pondered the Word today.   The familiar account of Gabriel coming to Daniel is revelatory.

Daniel had been fasting and praying with no seeming breakthrough.   I’ve been there!   The heavens seemed lined with brass, and my prayers ascended no higher than my lips.  There was no apparent response from God. 

I have had times when I grew weary and concluded that it wasn’t God’s will and changed focus.   Most of those times, I knew that was not the right approach.   I have also had times when I persisted and refused to quit.  God did what God does.   He dealt with me and my needs.

Gabriel makes a powerful statement.   He told Daniel, “…from day one, when you set your heart to know God’s purpose and understand, You Were Heard!”   The immediate thought would be, if I were heard on Day One, why has it taken three weeks for the answer to come? 

Gabriel explained upon that declaration and revealed that sometimes prayers do not get an immediate answer because of satanic opposition.   Had Daniel not persisted, Gabriel, the messenger, would not have come.

In Luke 11, Jesus reemphasized the Power of Persistence.  The parable about the need to feed a guest after normal hours provides revelation and encouragement for Persistence!   Jesus said that even if the friend would not respond on the strength of friendship, he would due to persistence.

We cannot twist God’s arm of perceived reluctance by persistence.   But persistence solidifies the depth of need in our hearts and demonstrates an unwillingness to fail.

Luke 11:9-10 gives us the progression and value of Persistence.

ASK – We have not because we ask not.

SEEK—It is difficult to find what you are not looking for, and if you find it, how would you know it if you were not seeking it?

KNOCK—The implication is a beat on the door, not just timidly or passively tapping on it.  Urgency with persistence overcomes doubt and fear and lays hold of the promise.

Be not weary in well-doing because, in due season, harvest comes “if” we persist.

• How important is the matter to you?
• How important is being ONE with God to you?
• How important is knowing you are walking in God’s purposes to you?

The first factor should be God’s will.  Before we begin the prayer of persistence, we should pray the prayer of submission.   Knowing we are on solid ground biblically, then refuse to give up.

• If you fail, get up; next time, determine you will not give up.
• If you are uncertain about your biblical footing in the request, Persist.
• If you are sure, Persist.
• If you discover you are asking outside His purposes, Repent. 

Then, seek His will and Persist.

The Bottom line is we must become people of Unrelenting Persistence.

Today, make this declaration – “I Will Not Quit! “ You will be surprised at what happens in your heart and mind as a result.  What is in your heart will soon be in your hands.

Have a great day pressing into the Promises of God!