Enduring Faith: The Blessings of Trusting God

For 42 years, I have been running for Jesus, and I’m not tired yet. Through all the seasons of life—joys, struggles, anniversaries, and even the challenges of memory and health—God has proven Himself faithful. Today, as we celebrate Father’s Day and reflect on the blessings of longevity in faith, marriage, and ministry, I am reminded that the true mark of a blessed life is not just endurance, but a heart that continues to seek after God and His wisdom.

We must remember the importance of training up our children in the ways of the Lord. The world is full of distractions and ungodly counsel, and it is easy to be swept away by the noise and opinions that surround us. But God’s Word is clear: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” It is our responsibility to ensure that our families are rooted in the truth, not just for our own sake, but for the generations that follow. Sunday School, Bible study, and the daily discipline of meditating on Scripture are not optional extras—they are the foundation of a life that prospers in God’s timing.

A blessed man, as Psalm 1 teaches, is one who refuses to walk in the counsel of the ungodly, stand in the way of sinners, or sit in the seat of the scornful. Instead, he delights in the law of the Lord and meditates on it day and night. This kind of life is like a tree planted by rivers of water—steady, fruitful, and resilient through every season. The world may offer quick fixes and empty promises, but only God’s Word brings lasting prosperity and peace.

Forgiveness is another cornerstone of a blessed life. After 57 years of marriage, I can testify that forgiveness—sometimes over small things, sometimes over great disappointments—is what keeps relationships strong. We are all sinners, saved by grace, and we must extend that grace to one another daily.

Finally, waiting on God’s timing is essential. Sometimes the blessing takes a while to arrive, but if we invest in God’s Word and trust His promises, we will see the fruit in due season. Don’t be discouraged if your “crop” hasn’t come in yet—keep sowing, keep trusting, and keep meditating on His Word. God is in the blessing business, and He will bring you through.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Endurance in Faith: True spiritual endurance is not just about lasting a long time, but about maintaining a vibrant, grateful heart for God through every season. Even after decades of serving, singing, and praying, the joy and strength to continue come from the Lord, not from ourselves. This endurance is a testimony to God’s sustaining power and a call to keep running the race with hope. [17:53]
• 2. The Power of Godly Influence: The voices we allow into our lives shape our destiny. Walking in the counsel of the ungodly, standing with sinners, or sitting with the scornful leads to spiritual stagnation and loss. Instead, we must intentionally seek out godly wisdom, surround ourselves with those who encourage righteousness, and be vigilant about the influences we allow into our homes and hearts. [44:41]
• 3. The Necessity of Spiritual Training: Our children and families depend on us to provide spiritual guidance and education. Neglecting this responsibility leads to generational loss and spiritual decline. Investing in Sunday School, Bible study, and daily Scripture meditation is not just for personal growth, but for the preservation and prosperity of our entire household. [32:30]
• 4. The Blessing of Forgiveness: Every lasting relationship, especially in marriage and family, is built on the foundation of forgiveness. We all fall short, and conflicts are inevitable, but choosing to forgive—over both small annoyances and deep wounds—opens the door for God’s grace to heal and sustain us. Forgiveness is not a one-time act, but a continual practice that reflects the heart of Christ. [34:45]
• 5. Waiting on God’s Season: God’s blessings often require patience and trust. Like a tree planted by the water, we may not see immediate results, but if we remain rooted in God’s Word and faithful in our obedience, the harvest will come in due season. Don’t rush the process or grow weary in waiting; God’s timing is perfect, and He always keeps His promises. [54:37]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [17:53] - “I’m Not Tired Yet”: Enduring in Faith
• [24:55] - Celebrating Milestones and Anniversaries
• [27:41] - Honoring Graduates and Community
• [28:50] - Responsive Reading: The Foundation of God’s Word
• [30:27] - The Role of Fathers and Spiritual Leadership
• [31:35] - The Importance of Training Up Children
• [32:30] - The Value of Sunday School and Spiritual Education
• [33:22] - The Priesthood of All Believers
• [34:45] - The Power of Forgiveness in Relationships
• [36:42] - Lessons from Isaac: Perseverance in Struggle
• [42:25] - The Danger of Rejecting God’s Counsel
• [44:41] - The Influence of Ungodly Counsel
• [47:16] - The Dangers of Modern Distractions
• [49:15] - The Discipline of Meditating on God’s Word
• [52:30] - The Promise of Fruitfulness and Prosperity
• [54:37] - Waiting for God’s Season
• [56:17] - Steps to Spiritual Renewal
• [58:37] - God’s Faithfulness Through the Years
• [60:15] - Honoring the Legacy of Faith
• [61:10] - Looking Ahead: Upcoming Travels and Ministry
• [64:08] - Giving and Double Honor
• [64:50] - Closing Benediction and Blessing

Bible Reading

Psalm 1:1-3 (ESV) — > Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.

Proverbs 22:6 (ESV) — > Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.

Hosea 4:6 (ESV) — > My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me. And since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.

Observation Questions

1. According to Psalm 1, what are the three things a blessed person avoids, and what does he do instead?
2. In the sermon, what does the pastor say is the foundation for a life that prospers in God’s timing? ([32:30])
3. What does Hosea 4:6 say happens when people reject knowledge, and how does the pastor connect this to families today? ([33:22])
4. What example does the pastor give from his own marriage about the importance of forgiveness? ([34:45])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why does the pastor emphasize that endurance in faith is not just about lasting a long time, but about having a heart that seeks after God? ([17:53])
2. How does the influence of ungodly counsel show up in our daily lives, according to the sermon? ([44:41])
3. What does it mean to “delight in the law of the Lord and meditate on it day and night,” and how does this practice affect a person’s life? ([49:15])
4. The pastor mentions that waiting on God’s timing is essential. Why is it sometimes hard to wait, and what encouragement does Psalm 1 give for those who are waiting? ([54:37])

Application Questions

1. The pastor has been “running for Jesus” for 42 years and says he’s “not tired yet.” What keeps you going in your faith when you feel tired or discouraged? Is there a specific practice or memory that helps you keep running? ([17:53])
2. Think about the voices and influences in your life—TV, social media, friends, family. Are there any sources of “ungodly counsel” you need to limit or remove? What’s one step you can take this week to be more intentional about the voices you listen to? ([44:41])
3. The sermon says, “Sunday School, Bible study, and the daily discipline of meditating on Scripture are not optional extras—they are the foundation.” How consistent are you in these practices? What is one small change you can make to grow in this area? ([32:30])
4. The pastor shares that forgiveness is the key to 57 years of marriage. Is there someone in your life—family, friend, or coworker—you need to forgive, even for something small? What would it look like to take a step toward forgiveness this week? ([34:45])
5. The sermon warns that “my people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” How are you investing in your own spiritual growth and in the spiritual growth of your family? Is there a new habit or resource you want to try? ([33:22])
6. The pastor talks about waiting for God’s season and not rushing the process. Is there an area of your life where you are tempted to give up or take shortcuts because you haven’t seen results yet? How can you remind yourself to trust God’s timing? ([54:37])
7. Psalm 1 says the blessed person is “like a tree planted by streams of water.” What would it look like for you to be more “rooted” in God’s Word this month? Is there a specific verse or passage you want to memorize or meditate on? ([49:15])