“Because He lives, I can face tomorrow, because He lives, all fear is gone, because I know He holds the future, and life is worth the living just because He lives.”
Can you sing this song in your heart as you lay in the hospital bed, knowing it is where you will die? Can you sing it with all knowledge of His promises as you watch war unfolding, as evil men cause their unjust and sinful desires to fall upon this planet, as you see the hedges being lowered and our adversary’s rise to power approaching?
“And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” (Luke 21:28)
Yes, do that, and do it often, but do not keep your head in the clouds, we will meet our Lord there soon enough, until then, look up, praise His name, and then attend to the tasks of the path that He has placed you upon.
Do justly, behave in a manner that glorifies the name of the Living God, pray for those who do not yet know the Lord Jesus Christ, pray for the wicked to see the truth, walk humbly with our Lord your God no matter where He leads you.
“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” (1st Cor. 2:9)
The closer one comes to the destination they have set their heart to, the more the anticipation arises within us, but we must be attentive to ourselves in these moments, for personal joy can at times override the purpose we have been sent to achieve. When one realizes that time is short, that the destination is forthcoming, and that quickly, we can begin to behave in a somewhat selfish manner, we may start to think more on ourselves than others, and the best example in the Scriptures of how we are to react in that moment is Luke 23:34a, “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.”
The pain of your flesh may be unbearable, the tribulations are pressing down so hard upon you that death is the only relief you can see, the fear of what is approaching, the evil that will completely encapsulate the entire earth causes your faith to stumble at times. Yes, look up, for your redemption draws nigh, but then once again look down that path towards the straight gate that awaits you, set your face like a flint, and take another step forward.
We who have been born-again do not look so much at what is approaching, though we have been blessed with Spiritual discernment to see it clearly, but we keep our eyes fixed on Who is approaching. And because He lives, we can face tomorrow.
“For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.” (2nd Tim. 4:6)
If you love the Lord Jesus Christ with all your being, if your sole purpose in life is to see the name of the Living God exalted above the heavens, then when you get home, that cup will be empty.
Whether you are called to reach out to thousands or to only a few, we have a task to perform, and it may happen that if you keep looking up for that glorious day only for yourself, for your release, then you may miss those last opportunities before you are called home. Running that good race means keeping your eyes on the Prize, till you cross that finish line.
My friends, my brothers and sisters in Christ, my family in the Lord, because He lives, you can face tomorrow, and the day after, and each day after that.
“Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.” (Zech. 4:6)
The Lord has blessed you with all you need, He has enabled you for the work set before you, when it seems hopeless, we have hope. Look up, give praise to His Holy name, and then look back at the path, see the gate, keep moving forward.
