Revelation 14:12
Let this encourage God’s people
to endure patiently every trial and persecution, for they are his saints
who remain firm to the end in obedience to his commands and trust in
Jesus.”
The Living Bible
copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of
Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights
reserved.
Timothy is spending a long-overdue Saturday
with “My Debbie” and “My Greg,” as he calls us. He came to our house
after school on Friday and spent the night. We are pretty well doing
whatever he pleases – within reason (he did want to go shopping for more
toys, and that didn’t happen!) – and we are enjoying a break from
“regular life” and the sadness that has filled our hearts and minds
lately. Greg and I have both commented that the children have been a
great diversion and source of joy for us in the last several weeks, and
we have thanked God for His blessings.
Seven-year-old boys are
not the most patient lot (and three-year-old little brothers are even
less so, as Nathan reminds us on his weekly visits!) So this morning as
I prepared the chocolate chip pancakes and bacon that Timothy and his
Greg requested for breakfast, Timothy reminded me several times that
“I’m hungry! I can’t wait!” I would tell him, “I’m working on it…the
wait will be worth it!” But he was not convinced. “Oh! Oh! I’m
STARVING!” he complained dramatically. I even gave him a cup of hot
cocoa and some chocolate chips to tide him over (yes, we spoil him
rotten on these visits!)…but he was still adamant that he needed his
breakfast – NOW!
Trust me…this kid was in no distress – much
less, any danger of starvation! But we grown-ups are often so much like
him in the situations and circumstances of our own lives. We think we
cannot bear what is happening to us…and we often whine and complain and
cry out to God, “When will this be over? When will you rescue me?” God
gives us more blessings and joys than we deserve – like “chocolate
chips and hot cocoa to tide us over” – but still, we are impatient.
Sometimes,
in our restlessness and mistrust, we misbehave and disobey… or even
turn our backs on God. After all, He took too long to answer us…right?
At the very least, we question His timing and plans…we gripe and
complain…and we lose heart. Some of this is normal…human nature…our
sinful side in action. None of us is perfect, after all.
But we
do need to listen to the words of this passage…to learn to operate in
patience – even in the midst of trials - and yes, “persecution”…to
remain firm to the end in obedience to God’s commands…to always trust in
Jesus. I can tell you from personal experience that this is often
hard…that some days are better than others. But every day that we stay
close to God and operate in His will and trust Him for perfect outcomes
is better than our “best” day without Him.
Not all days will be
“chocolate chip pancake and bacon” days with God. But when we make our
best effort to spend each day with “My God”, He will supply our every
need – and then some. We.Can.Do.This! No matter how hard “life” seems, God will equip us for it if we will let Him. Are you with me?
©2016 Debbie Robus
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