Dear Friend,
Recently, I was reading through Revelations—you know, as one does—which describes John's vision of the future battle between good and evil. [Spoiler Alert: God has the ultimate victory.]
So I'm reading along, horrified that it looks like evil is winning.
Revelation 13 says that all the inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast (i.e. satan, the prince of darkness) except the people belonging to the Lamb who was slain (i.e. Jesus) whose names are written in the book of life (i.e. people who trust in Jesus as savior and leader). Nonetheless, many will be killed or taken into captivity. "He who has an ear to hear, let him hear."
[Eek. I'm trying to listen. But this is pretty hard stuff. I don't usually like to sit with things that are uncomfortable.]
The book reads like one tragedy after another. But right there-- the very next verse --we get a little side note from John:
"This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of the saints." - Revelation 13:10
Ah, there it is. In the middle of it all... When things don't look like they could get any worse, and they somehow manage to get worse anyway... THAT is precisely WHEN we need to remain faithful and patiently endure.
When everything is crumbing around us. When we prayed and death came anyway. When the diagnosis is grim. When our best of intentions was misunderstood, ridiculed, scorned. When the betrayal still stings. When the pain of loss is real. PATIENCE. FAITHFULNESS.
Later, John describes more destruction. Again, he tells us what to do when it comes:
"This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of the saints who obey God's commandments and remain faithful to Jesus." - Revelation 14:12
Let's face it. There is a true enemy of our souls. He is the father of lies. He's here to kill, steal, and destroy. He's prowling around looking for someone to devour. We don't have to wait to end times to see his handiwork. It's all around us from the freak accident to the wayward cells, from the whisper "what's the harm?" to the full blown "throw yourself down." Given that this is our daily experience, what do we saints do?
Remember that we are saints -- We are chosen, set aside for a purpose
Patiently endure -- We know WHO will have the final victory: God Almighty!
Obey God's commandments -- He knows best and has our best in mind as He gives us guardrails for living
Remain faithful to Jesus -- When we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. He deserves everything we can give him. He deserves all the glory!
So, friend. I don't know what you're facing today. But I can pretty much guess it's not a picnic. Be patient. Be faithful. That's what these times call for.
Love,
Your Friend