Do you know why we can persevere in our faith? Romans 15-16

Romans 15:4-6 (NASBStr)

For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

"Hope" is a key fundamental doctrine of the early church and an often mentioned thought in Paul's writings.  In this same chapter, Paul will write the following, as well:

Romans 15:13 (NASBStr)

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

As believers we have a hope that is sure and steadfast.  The hope is that Jesus will culminate our salvation and bring us to be with Him for eternity.   This "hope" means we are to to "persevere" as we wait for His final redemption and our glorification.   The above passage(s) are intended to make we don't fade away or fall back.   Paul wants the Roman Christians to continue on in their faith, knowing persecution is coming.  By 70 A.D. the entire church will be attacked and Nero, the Romans empire, will attempt to annihilate all believers.   Paul tells them that their perseverance can be strengthened by their constant faith and reassurance from the things that have been previously written ... the Scriptures.   Although the two clauses ("perseverance" and the "encouragement" above) are independent in the Greek (meaning they are not dependent on each other for success), it is obvious that for us to persevere in our hope, God has supplied the Scriptures for us to draw strength.    God has written the Word of God so that we can know His promises and see that He keeps His promises.  That is what the entire Old Testament is about.   That is why it was so important for Paul to write Romans chapter ten and eleven.   The thought in the Roman church with the Gentile believers is that God was done with the Jews and cast them away because they failed to believe in His Son, Jesus, their Messiah.   If that were true, then the promises of God to the Jews would have failed.  If those promises failed that so TOO could the promise of our complete redemption: Our glorification.    But, God's promises DID and ARE coming to fruition.   We can trust God's Word and therefore persevere in our walk with Him.  We can maintain our hope in Him because He does not break His promises.   If you doubt that, read His Word and it will demonstrate His faithfulness.