Persistence in Faith

Good morning, Saints of God!

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Ps 118:24

As you listened to the words of scripture today, perhaps you heard a theme repeated in each reading. Each one speaks to the persistent relationship God has with God’s people over an extended period of time and each one emphasizes the need for us to be persistent, as we grow faithfully in our relationship with God; that is, in the relationship that leads to blessing and new life.

The first reading, from the book of Genesis, is the intriguing story of Jacob wrestling all night with an unknown adversary. As the new day is breaking, Jacob realizes he has been wrestling with God, struggling with the divine being, looking for a blessing as he continued on his journey home. As much as Jacob persists in this struggle, so too does God. God is not willing to let Jacob go until God has given Jacob a new name – Israel (“he wrestles with God”). Then God blesses him and sends Jacob on his way, to become the father of the 12 tribes of Israel.

Persistence in wrestling with God in the night – struggling with questions and doubts and fears – leads to blessing and new life.

God’s persistent love and care for God’s people echos throughout the psalm. God is the one from whom our help comes; who watches over us; who preserves us from all evil and keeps our life; who watches over our going out and coming in, from this time forth forevermore.

God’s persistence in keeping watch leads to blessing and new life.

The writer of the letter addressed to Timothy urges Timothy – and us – to “proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable…”. Ah, now here are words to which we can relate. We live in a time when proclaiming the true message of the gospel – the message that says we are made right with God by God’s grace alone through faith alone in Christ Jesus alone – is a radical expression of faith; it’s a radical way to live. Yet that is what we are called to do.

Persistence in telling the story of Jesus leads to blessing and new life.

Finally, the gospel story of the persistent widow and the judge who neither fears God nor respects any person. The widow calls out – repeatedly, loudly, over and over again – for justice to be done. Finally, the judge relents and grants justice for the widow.

Persistence in crying out to God, day and night, leads to blessing and new life.

Persistence. To continue on a course of action or a way of living despite the obstacles; even when it is difficult. Endurance. Holding fast. Resilient. Hebrews 11:23 says it this way: Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for (the One) who has promised is faithful.

God promises to be faithful to us. So we, too, promise to be faithful to God.

Living a faithful live in God through Jesus Christ requires persistence. It takes persistence to… – pray without ceasing

give thanks in good times and bad times
live among God’s faithful people
get up early on a Sunday morning and come to hear the word of God and share in the Lord’s supper – be generous in giving
proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed – keep loving God and serving our neighbor – work for justice and peace for all people.

We build persistence in faith one step at a time; one act at a time; one day at a time as we continue to live in communion with God; following the example of Jesus; guided by the Holy Spirit, who gathers us into this expression of the body of Christ, where we encourage each other in our walk in faith.

Today, as a community of faith, we get to practice the persistence of our faith in a very concrete way.

Today we will welcome Claire Caroline Riehle into the household of God through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism. In a few moments, we will gather around the font with Claire and her family and her sponsors. We will present Claire before God and promises will be made (covenant of baptism).

Through the water and words of baptism, God promises to give Claire new life in Jesus Christ. Today Claire will be sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked with the cross of Christ forever. Nothing can ever separate Claire from the new life in Christ that she is receiving today. In baptism, God claims Claire as God’s own child, now and forever. That’s God’s promise.

Claire’s parents, Erika and Greg, will promise to help Claire grow into the Christian faith and life. They will be given these responsibilities:

to live with Claire among God’s faithful people,
bring her to the word of God and the holy supper,
teach her the Lord’s Prayer, the Creed, and the Ten Commandments, – place in her hands the holy scriptures, and nurture her in faith and prayer, so that she may learn to trust God,
proclaim Christ through word and deed,
care for others and the world God made, and work for justice and peace.

Erica and Greg are not left alone in fulfilling these promises for their child. They have a whole community of faith standing with them with love, persistently encouraging them – and Claire – in this life of faith that we share.

Claire’s sponsors, Megan and Gary, will promise to nurture Claire in the Christian faith and help her live in the covenant of baptism and in communion with the church.

And you, people of God gathered in this place, will promise to support Claire and pray for her in her new life in Christ.

These are beautiful and awesome promises to make and to keep. As people who follow Jesus, one of our most sacred responsibilities is to nurture the faith of the people around us.

Today we give thanks to God for God’s faithful promise to watch over us; we give thanks to God for the ongoing gift of new life through Jesus Christ; we give thanks to God for the continual presence of the Holy Spirit, gathering us together and giving us hope and courage for the living of this day, as we continue to walk in (Christ Jesus the Lord), rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. (Col 2:6-7). Persistence in faith leads to blessing and new life.