“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)
In times of great trials and tribulations, in times of immense pain, suffering and sorrow we look up more, praying for the sweet release of death, for the Lord to take us home so that we can truly be free. But the justified my friends live by faith, not sight, and faith asks us to keep moving forward until the gate is reached.
I believe every man that the Living God has called to Himself is used by Him for His glory and will be used as an example for others by Him.
I write this letter to you this morning in excruciating physical pain, and I mention this not so that you will pray for me in this valley, although I honestly appreciate those prayers, but for those of you who may not be in that valley today, but will soon. You will look up and desire little else than that pain would leave your flesh, if not, then you will ask the Lord either that the Rapture would happen today, or that He would call you home.
And then my prayer for you would be that you would take the next step on the path he has set you on.
“Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” (Matt. 7:14)
You are not searching for that strait gate, you have already found it, but it is still in the distance, the fog of pain may have hidden it from your view temporarily, the fire you are in may make it difficult to see, but you have seen it, and if you take your eyes off it, if you keep looking up, you may miss the opportunity to be a blessing to someone.
Many of these short, poorly written letters as of late have revolved around physical pain, for that is where He has placed me, and that has led me to much deep contemplation.
Have I sinned against Him and am being punished? “But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.” (Numb 32:23)
Is there a secret fault within me? “Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.” (Psalm 19:12)
Am I being chastised simply to draw me closer to Him in faith? “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.” (Heb. 12:6)
Or has He chosen me to be an example for one of you that are reading this letter? “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.” (1st Cor. 10:11)
One day of immense pain causes the question of “Why,” weeks of it causes deep contemplation, much prayer and supplication.
I ask you to consider those that have come before us, specifically those who met the Lord Jesus Christ in person when He walked amongst us, those that He healed who also believed on Him, and I ask you to contemplate this. After He went back to heaven, and they fell into great pain, and that pain did not abate, what did they do?
Look up or keep moving forward?
“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)
Now I ask you this, if you were asked to suffer for His glory so that others would see His strength in you and come to Him for the salvation of their soul, would you?
My friends, this question can only be answered in the midst of that pain, and your answer will be revealed to you there, in that valley.
“Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.” (Heb. 10:38)
The Lord Jesus Christ is our greatest example, what I am experiencing is nothing compared to His pain, but at times it is all that matters to me. I must not let that happen, and neither should you if He calls you here.
Those of you who understand this short letter can see that strait gate, can see beyond it to where pain does not exist. If He calls you to this valley, do not spend too much time looking up, look around for those who are here also.
Encourage them.
