Our hearts have been heavy a lot lately – haven’t they. Between world events and things close to home it’s so easy to let our hope give way to fear – or even defeat.
Thankfully, we know how the story ends!
I was listening to a Beth Moore podcast* recently, and she was speaking to me in a moment when frankly I was focusing too much on defeat. This is an exercise she had everyone do that I thought was pretty profound. She had people write their full name as it will appear on their headstone. (Stick with me – it gets better!) Then she had them write their birth dates followed by the dash (an important dash). Then after dash? (I couldn’t wait for her to get this point.) “Revelation of Christ!”
Her point? For the believer and the non-believer – those taken while the world goes on and those taken up at His return – everyone’s story ends with the revelation of Christ. Everyone’s story ends with Jesus’ victory over it all. Everyone’s! (Though while some of us will be rejoicing, others will be having their ultimate “uh-oh” moments.)
This isn’t all there will ever be! This isn’t the end of the story! We have much to hope in and wait for while we live in the “dash” – regardless of the earthly struggles. We need to keep reminding ourselves of that.
And the devil knows it, too! Beth also shared Revelation 12:12:
“Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short.“
The devil is angry, because he knows his time is coming to an end! He knows he’s heading for defeat, and is wreaking as much havoc as he can before that day comes. (Boy, is that obvious!) But praise God, the devil’s “time is short”! Yes!
When we come before God in worship, let’s not forget that He has already sealed the victory over all our struggles and wars. Name them and thank Him that He will have the last word!
Seeking to know Him more is a critical goal. Keep waiting and asking, “Show me Your glory” (Exodus 33:18)!
“Wait for the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD” (Psalm 27:14).
Then bow in worship to all He reveals. He deserves the humble submission of all we are and have. Bow to the God who is with you in the “dash” and will be with you at the end of your “dash”! Bow to our Bridegroom!
“Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:13).
And let’s fill our “dashes” with as much glorifying Him to the world as we can. Let’s not let our temporary defeats in this life render us weaker – or even ineffective – for the rest of our time here. Let’s not give the devil the pleasure of stealing the hope that is ours in this life and at the impending revelation of Christ.
“In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:6-7).
“And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith” (1 John 5:4).
“He who testifies to these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming quickly.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20).
I love this new Passion song with Kristian Stanfill, Even So Come.** Let its beautiful truth wash over you and help you worship God wherever you are in the dash of your life.
What brings you the most hope when you think about God’s final victory?
* Beth Moore speaking at Passion 2014 conference on “Take Your Time”. ** Even So Come was written by Chris Tomlin, Jess Cates, and Jason Ingram.
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