Psalm 9:18 But God will never forget the needy;
    the hope of the afflicted will never perish.

From our perspective, it certainly seems sometimes that needy people are forgotten, and the hope of those who suffer fades into nothing. However, that is not the case with God. We see only our immediate circumstances, but God sees into eternity. Jesus said clearly that in this world we will have trouble, (John 16:33) but Paul reminds us, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no human mind has conceived the things God has prepared for those who love him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9) We frankly don’t understand much of what we experience on this earth. Some people try to explain it, but as Job experienced, much of it is simply “out of our pay grade,” as the saying goes. As came out a couple of days ago, that extends even to the when and how of our death. Those who choose to schedule their death, as is increasingly popular in some places, are actively declining to trust God. Those who have a genuine hope of heaven aren’t going to try for an early ticket, because their hope is in the One who put them here in the first place, and He is the one who has plans for how they are to spend their time. Going back to what Jesus said in the Upper Room, no one is promised easy street – Jesus Himself went through incredible suffering – but the final outcome will be more than worth it for those who are faithful to their Creator. As Paul famously said, “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” (2 Corinthians 4:17)

I’m going to be preaching on this Sunday. I suppose it shouldn’t be surprising that it keeps coming up, when the theme of our readings is Hope, because our ultimate hope is eternity with our Lord, freed from all the trials of this life. I haven’t had major suffering in my life, particularly compared to some people, but that doesn’t mean I’ve always had it easy by any means. My wife is a study in endurance. When people ask me how she’s doing, and genuinely care, I tell them that it is a question of where she is hurting today. I don’t know when she last had a pain-free day. However, she keeps going, shaming those who are far more healthy, yet spend their time complaining. As I have said numbers of times, I pray for God to take away all her pain, and at the same time, selfishly pray that he leave her here for my sake. I know that in heaven she will be free from it all, but I don’t look forward to being left here for however long it might be until I get to follow her. That said, I know that God is absolutely faithful and trustworthy, and He will carry us through what He has planned for each of us. As the hymn says, “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.” For however long He keeps me here, I’m to keep sharing His truth, His love, with as many as will receive it, for their salvation and His glory.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for being able to go yesterday to encourage a missionary from Hong Kong, who is under spiritual attack. I do pray for the issues he shared with me, that Your solution to each one would be manifested promptly. I pray Your peace for him, his wife, and his team, that they would not overlook the blessings You are pouring out on them even in the middle of all this. May Your will be done indeed, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!