Persistence, Persistence, Persistence (Luke 2:36-38)

The headline on the article blared, “At the Bar; A Man's Pride and Persistence Conquer the
California Bar Exam's Most Famous Losing Streak.”

In September 1991, Maxcy Filer passed the California bar exam….after 48 tries. From 1966-1991, Mr. Filer traveled across California to take the bar exam. His family always supported him. Ironically, his sons Kelvin and Anthony, were practicing lawyers who had earlier passed the California bar.

At the age of 61 years, Mr. Filer now could officially practice law and has joined one of his sons in a law firm practicing criminal and personal injury law. But what was the stumbling block?  "I knew the law but it didn't flow," he said. Some observers speculated that he “turned his exam essays into soapboxes, expostulating on law not as it was but as he wanted it to be.” Others stated he was “spread too thin doing good deeds.” At the oath ceremony, a bar official explained it best by saying that Mr. Filer personified three keys to success: "persistence, persistence, persistence."

Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; and this woman was a widow of about eighty- four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
Luke 2:36-38

The Bible records a beautiful example of persistence and faithfulness. Anna was an aged prophetess who devoted 84 years of her life serving God in His temple. God rewarded her faithfulness by revealing to her the Messiah, the infant Jesus Christ! Can you imagine the excitement she had as she shared the good news with everyone around her? Think of all the people who had met her over the previous decades! They knew of her persistence; they knew her dedication; they knew her sincerity! And now they witnessed God rewarding her!

Like Mr. Filer, persistence in life may lead to eventual success. But persistence in faithfulness to God will always lead to unlimited blessings!  If you feel burdened by doing God’s work, be encouraged to know that God sees and knows what you are doing. And He will reward and honor your persistence in faithfulness!

Blessings with Aloha!