Charles Spurgeon said: “By perseverance the snail reached the ark.”

Think about how small a snail is. I’m sure it was hard to get to the ark, not only because of his size but because he risked being stepped on!

But alas, victory.

Perseverance is all the more possible when you know you are headed toward something good. As disciples of Jesus, we have that very knowledge.

We are headed toward a day when all things will be made new. One of the places this is captured is in Revelation 21: “Then I saw ‘a new heaven and a new earth,’ for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away… ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes… He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” (verses 1, 4, 5).

In the meantime we have the promises of God. We have his refreshing and reliable Word. We have churches and teachers to instruct and encourage us. We have family and friends to support us along the way. We have the Holy Spirit. We have lives of purpose as Jesus’ hands and feet. And we have been given the big picture that better is coming and that all things work together for good for those who love God (Romans 8:28).

If the snail reached the ark by perseverance and he didn’t have the benefit of the Scriptures, of the church, of brothers and sisters in Christ, of teachers, of the Holy Spirit, or of knowing the big picture, how much more is it true for those of us who are made in God’s image, given forgiveness and peace through the cross, adopted as God’s children, and given victory in Christ?

It’s easier to play the long game when you know you are going to win. And we do. 

Praise God for his goodness, and persevere.

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Notes and extra content:

–“Playing the Long Game in a World of Now Now Now.” Sermon. July 21, 2024. Click here.
–Bible quotes are from the NIV.