Hold on till the end
“And we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose” (Roman 8: 28).
The Bible tells us that in the land of Uz there lived a man called Job who was both morally and spiritually upright. So pleasing was he that even God boasted about him to Satan saying “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright; a man who fears God and shuns evil” (Job 1:8). But Job’s upright character did not exempt him from the trials and tribulations that were later to befall him. Not only did he lose all his possessions, and all his children, Satan also afflicted his body with painful sores from the sole of his feet to the top of his head. So bad was Job’s condition that his wife suggested that he curse God and die (Job 2:9).
Friend, trials and tribulations will come to all, no one, absolutely no one, is exempt. Contrary to what a lot of people think, trials and tribulations are not necessarily a sign of disobedience or rebellion against God. Remember that Job was “blameless and upright, feared God and shunned evil”, yet he suffered great tribulation.
But the good news is that children of God do not go through trials alone. The Lord goes through them with us because He has promised that He will never leave us nor forsake us (Joshua 1:5, Hebrews 13:5) and that even when we go through the valley of the shadow of death, He will be with us (Psalm 23:4). Further, we know that the trials we go through will not last always because the Word of God tells us that weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5).
Friend, Satan’s plan is that these trials would cause us such pain and misery that we would give up and turn away from God just as Job’s wife had urged him to do. But the Word of God encourages us to hold on and not to give up. The Book of James tells us that “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him” (James 1:12). Job held on and “the Lord made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before” (Job 42:10). In the end, God will work things out for the good of those who love Him and who are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).
Remember, if you hang on with God, you can be sure that the end will be good.
Prayer:
Lord, we are privileged to know you, to belong to you and to be countered as your children. Thank you for your promises towards us. Thank you specifically for your promise to never leave us nor forsake us. Thank you for the confidence in knowing that whatever we may go through in life, you are there with us and will see us through. Help us to hold on till the end so we can wear the crown of life. In Jesus precious Name we pray. Amen.
