The preacher of Hebrews tells us plainly, “you have need of endurance” (Hebrews 10:36). Nearly every hymn we sing
this morning is a prayer asking for God’s strength, wisdom, and guidance, that we might endure in our Christian lives.
We open the service by asking the Lord to “lead me all my journey through” (Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah). From
the psalter, we ask Him to provide grace and truth “to guard me in the way,” to “teach me to follow You,” and to
“instruct me in Your way” (Lord, Hear My Voice—Psalm 61; O Lord, Teach Me To Follow You—Psalm 27). We assure
one another with God’s promise that “if we endure with Him, we will also reign with Him” (The Creed Of Timothy),
and we rest in the hope that “with the help of Jesus’ spirit” our whole lives—even when facing trials—will be marked
with “fruitful labor” (To Live Is Christ). We leave the service emphasizing God’s Word as the foundation of our
endurance (How Firm A Foundation). With words largely paraphrased from Isaiah 43, the voice of the Lord answers
the prayers we have made earlier in the service: “I’ll strengthen you, help you,” “I will be with you, your troubles to
bless,” “My grace, all sufficient shall be your supply.” —Henry C. Haffner
