Revelation 12:11 They triumphed over him
    by the blood of the Lamb
    and by the word of their testimony;
they did not love their lives so much
    as to shrink from death.

This is absolutely glorious, but at the same time it’s very scary for anyone whose framework is totally in this world. After all, this is speaking of the victory that is martyrdom! Japan has a glorious history of martyrs, but today, too many people give in to such simple things as social pressures, and they miss out on the glorious overcoming it speaks of here. The devil really is furious, as it says in the very next verse, and he doesn’t let up in his attacks on believers. Any relief is essentially just a lull in the fighting! However, we have nothing to be afraid of, because as John said clearly, “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4) When our perspective is on eternity, our life in this world is a minor item, not to be over-valued. When we are desperate to live longer physically, as so many are, we miss out on the infinitely greater blessings of eternity with the Lord, the Creator of heaven and earth. It’s not that our lives here are completely unimportant, because it is here we serve our Lord and introduce others to Him, but it frees us from being anxious about anything, since we know we are already on the winning side. When we really understand that our bodies are mortal but we, as children of God, are immortal, we can continue the fight with assurance and even joy, knowing the final outcome will be very good indeed, whatever it looks like physically.

We have a friend who received her “death sentence” quite some time back, as she battles lung cancer. Her body is indeed wasting away, but her husband said yesterday that at this point she is emotionally and spiritually stronger that he is! Her daughter, who chats with her daily online, posted a picture yesterday of her lying in bed, lifting her hand in the sign language gesture combining I, L, and Y, meaning, “I love you.” She looks to be very close to her “graduation,” and she is more than ready. I find her very inspiring! I’m already several years older than either of my parents were at the time of their graduation, but as long as the Lord keeps me here, I’m to be active at the various tasks He has for me to do. I’m to remember that “We are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10) I am to rejoice in God’s salvation, but remember that it has a purpose, both for now and for eternity, and commit myself fully to fulfilling that purpose, for the pleasure and glory of my Lord.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for all You enabled me to do yesterday, and for the things You have planned for me today. Help me recognize and follow Your leading each moment, so that my time, my life, may be spent exactly as You desire, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!