Who Will Win in the End?

The Battle Rages On

Over the last couple weeks I’ve met with some of the pastors that I’m coaching and encouraging, and they are going through some difficult times. That’s why the question of, who will win comes to mind.
I take comfort that despite the fact that the battle rages, and at times it’s hard to see the light we know that God is on the throne. We know that God uses our pain. He uses our hardships to build into our lives. The Lord doesn’t waste the troubles we encounter.
I just finished reading through the book of Job this morning, who is the patron saint of suffering. God never really answered Job as to why he suffered so much. His answer seems to be, if I told you why, you wouldn’t understand. Job was humbled before the Lord. He recognize how small he was compared to God. He repented of his foolish plea.

Look to Jesus

Of course, our Lord Jesus Christ who is perfect and holy endured the cross for our sin. Jesus is the ultimate example.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1, 2 ESV

Look to Jesus.
That’s an amazing statement, “who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross.” Jesus is our hope. His resurrection means there is victory over sin, death and Satan. We are to live in that victory as more than conquerors!
If we want to be like our savior, should we expect not to suffer?
The answer isn’t to seek suffering. It helps tremendously to know that a loving Father is orchestrating all things.

Our Suffering is Not Wasted

The apostle Paul encourages us to rejoice in our suffering, which seems like crazy talk. Yet, he does this, because of what the difficulties of life are building into us.

“Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” Romans 5:3-5 ESV

All the hardships we endure in this life are producing good things in us: endurance, character, hope. So don’t give up dear friend, there is much hope.
Pray for us and those pastors and ministers we serve with who are going through some trying times! Pray that we will all keep our eyes on Jesus!
In His Grip, Dave
DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org