FRIDAY August 14, 2020
Waiting with Perseverance
For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.
Romans 8:24-25
Paul reminded us of our eternal hope. Again, there are things that we do not fully understand––heavenly things we cannot see with our eyes, but we believe they are there by faith. Think about it. We are just passing through! As we believe by faith, we shall not be afraid to die. We shall be with the Lord! The patriarchs of the Bible lived and died in faith:
These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth (Hebrews 11:13).
As pilgrims, we wait and hope with perseverance to be with Christ. We shall not be disappointed. However, imagine what it is going to be like in the world in years to come if Jesus does not come back. This is the next prophetical event––the Rapture of the Church (1 Corinthians 15:50-54).
It is crazy what is happening around the entire world! These events are like a wave coming to a big crest, and when it finally hits, it brings with it a lot of destruction and kills a lot of people. This is something we have never seen before––something new. Yes, we have had similar problems with pandemics in the past, but the way things are heading today in the world, especially as we are currently in a global pandemic, it seems we are surely living in the last days. I thank God that He is in control.
I believe the young men and women have not seen anything yet. I am not trying to depress anyone, but I am being realistic––you cannot live unrealistically––you have to deal with realism. As we see what is happening around us, we need to plan for the future to take care of our families and their needs. Christians need to persevere in this world, waiting by faith to be with Christ. The promises of God are true.
Only a Christian has a right to hope, for only he has the power of God to give substance to his hope. The man who hopes in Christ is as safe as the rainbow-circled throne where sits the God who cannot lie.
~A. W. Tozer~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
