Hebrews 11:39-40 These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.

I have been aware of these two verses for a long time, but it just now occurred to me to think about the “something better” that God had planned for us. The listing of people and suffering in this chapter is indeed remarkable, but it struck me just now that none of the Old Testament saints knew about Jesus, except perhaps by prophetic revelation. How much easier it is for us, who live in the New Covenant, to endure suffering, because we know our Savior, who suffered and died and rose again, giving us an eternal hope! Yesterday I referenced a very important statement by Paul: “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” (2 Corinthians 4:17) I’m reminded of the story, not recorded in the Bible but reasonably authenticated, of when Peter’s wife was being crucified just before he was, and he was forced to watch. He cried out to her, “Remember Jesus!” When we rightly remember Jesus, we can endure anything. Martyrs down through the centuries have indeed endured unspeakable horrors, but their reward is absolutely sure. We tend to get upset about relatively minor suffering, or even inconvenience, when more people were martyred for their faith in the 20^th Century than in the previous 19, and the pace has picked up even further in the 21st Century. God indeed has marvelous stuff planned and prepared for us, and we have far more reason to be assured of it than the Old Testament saints did. As Jesus said, we need to take heart, because He has overcome the world! (John 16:33)

Yesterday when I got up a little chorus was running through my head. It is based on Isaiah 40:31, and the final lines are, “Teach me, Lord. Teach me, Lord, to wait.” I have come to the conclusion that patience is an essential part of the makeup of a disciple of Jesus Christ. As far back at the 1^st Century they believed Christ would return in glory any day, and that obviously didn’t happen. Today, circumstances certainly seem to indicate that indeed, it could be any day, but if we slough off on the things we have been given to do, thinking it will all be over momentarily, we will miss out on a lot, on various levels. Jesus said, “It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns.” (Matthew 24:46) In other words, we are responsible for our assignments, and aren’t to be distracted by “what if” scenarios. I am currently in a transition period, retiring from school teaching and uncertain of what the Lord has planned for the next part of my life here. I am to rest assured that His plans are indeed excellent, and at the same time not be anxious about when they will be revealed. I am to recognize the task at hand and do it with my whole heart as a sacrifice to my Lord, not weighing whether those tasks are “big” or “small.” When things seem slow, I am to “recharge my batteries.” When they seem frantic, I am to allow the Holy Spirit to carry me along. In everything, I am to trust God and His plans, and give Him the praise, glory, and gratitude that only He deserves.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for the important things I got done yesterday, even though I felt like I wasted time. Help me indeed recognize Your will each moment and submit myself to do it, for the advancement of Your kingdom and for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!