2. Do not cast away your confidence and courage and endurance (v. 35–37). The verses state it well: endure and you shall receive the promise of God’s reward. For in just a little while Christ is coming, and He will not tarry. His coming is assured, and when He comes, He will come with His reward. The word “patience” (hupomones) means to endure, persevere, and be stedfast in doing the will of God. What is the will of God?

“And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment” (1 Jn. 3:23).

God wills us to believe in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ—in His sacrifice for our sins—and to love people. Loving people means that we live righteous and godly lives for their sakes and that we help them in every way we can.

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Co. 15:58).

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage” (Ga. 5:1).

“Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Pe. 1:13).

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world” (1 Pe. 5:8–9).