The Christian’s present conflict may be sharp, but it will soon be over. And isn’t it often that we have to remind ourselves of this?
And what I’ve learned as of late especially, is that God is rather fond of seeing His children persevere. The trials we’ve been assigned have purpose and the purpose of perseverance is for our benefit. For our advancement, our improvement, our increase, and ultimately the the expansion of His great kingdom work!
God sees our suffering. He sees the hardships we’re having to endure and He says to us, “Cast not away therefore your confidence.” The word “therefore” implies a consequence of something. He’s saying to us, “Because you have already endured so much, don’t you dare lose the victories which you have already gained!” The writer of Hebrews is reminding us today, “Just look where you came from. Look how far you have come! Turning back would be far worse!”
A minister on his deathbed when visited by someone who suggested to him that it’s “all peace now”, replied this, “No, it’s not all peace yet. I must wear the armor a little longer, and I must carry the sword a little further. It is a hard fight, but I shall get the white robe and the crown by-and-by. It is a hard fight, but it is worth it!”
My commentary says, “Pain is a far more growing element. Sunshine is not more indispensable to harvests than rain and cloudy days.” Indeed I will confess that hard circumstances have taught me more than ease and comfort ever have.
We wonder if the promises of God will ever come to pass and how long we will be asked to withstand the discomfort of trials, but He’s beckoning us to not discard, dispelling, dismiss, or cast off our bold declaration of faith... because there’s great recompense of reward just up ahead!
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