“And even we Christians, although we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, also groan to be released from pain and suffering. We, too, wait anxiously for that day when God will give us our full rights as his children, including the new bodies he has promised us–bodies that will never be sick again and will never die.” (Romans 8:23)
Let’s face it! Life is indeed difficult in this sin accursed Planet. However good News, with a Capital G, is the Lord who knows our feeble frame, knows how much “load” we can bear…
“You can trust God to keep the temptation (read difficulty) from becoming so strong that you can’t stand up against it, for he has promised this and will do what he says. He will show you how to escape temptation’s power so that you can bear up patiently against it.” (1 Cor 10:13)
Take the life of David…from time of being low-profile Shepherd in Bethlehem pastures to taking on giant Goliath in a mortal combat, facing from thereon severe problems from within (envious King Saul was out to snuff out his life), without (constant wars with Philistines, Amalekites), …later after being crowned King…falling prey to temptations of the flesh and reaping bitter fruit thereof (Psalms 38-39), swallowing the bitter pill of death of three sons, being at the receiving end of just Divine wrath for indiscretion (1 Chronicles 21)…every single time “this man of God’s own heart” bounced back…from adversity and even…shackles of sin…so much so at the end of his life (which ended in an exemplary manner, see 1 Chronicles 29)…he resembled a tattered, mangled envelope…with the precious “letter inside” (read the immortal soul) safely reaching the Heavenly shores.
Make no mistake, the “all enveloping truth” is…the path of straight and narrow is no easy bed of roses…but what matters at the end is…whether our “letter” buoyed by the joyous indwelling of His Presence at all times (1 Peter 1:8) inside a “tattered envelope” is safely reaching the hands of the Master.
Come 2015…claim this Promise…setting your sights on things above (Col 3:1)
“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” (Philippians 1:6)
Prayer: Father, in Thy immeasurable Grace, you have accepted us “warts and all” and You are patiently moulding us into the image of Your Son…our Lord Jesus Christ. Master by Thy infinite power, let our Spirit reach Thee finally to be in Your presence for Eternity. In Jesus’ Name. Amen
Suresh Manoharan
An unworthy servant
J and SM Ministries