Persevere Brethren, We Know How It Ends

The people in Noah’s time were certain there was no "rain" coming. They continued on with their lives and in their sins despite Noah’s preaching who, they were convinced, was a fool. In their own eyes they were the ones who were wise, and here was this fool telling them about something that NO ONE had ever even heard of, something called "rain". Though Noah tried to share some 'inside information' that he had received from God, the people, and the powers that be, laughed.

The workers at the tower of Babel were confident that they were going to build a tower that would reach all the way to Heaven. They were certain of their goal and confident that they and Nimrod were going to make a name for themselves. They were certain that Nimrod was "the one." Nimrod held the reigns of power and in their own eyes they were wise. Anyone that would oppose them would be deemed a fool and crushed like a cockroach. The people, and the powers that be, would have laughed.

The people inside the walls of Jericho watched as the Israelites marched around their fortified city. The citizens of Jericho were certain they were safe and secure while the marchers wasted their time. Their walls were so thick and so sturdy that NO ONE had ever breached them. They had been built to the latest standards and they had used the best technology and engineering of the day in their construction. They were confident that those walls would never be breached by such a rag tag group as these Israelites. The people, and the powers that be, laughed.

Those at Calvary were convinced that the rabble-rouser had now been effectively dealt with. They even went so far as to secure the tomb lest His disciples steal His body and start a rumor. They were sure that this would be the end of this 'blasphemer' who had claimed to be the Messiah. He had received just what He deserved when He was publicly humiliated, stripped and beaten, mocked to derision and then CRUCIFIED like a common criminal! It went so well they patted themselves on the back when everything had gone exactly according to plan. The people, and the powers that be, laughed.

Over and over again the people, and the powers that be suffer from a misguided optimism. Completely self-assured, they continue in their schemes and plans never giving pause to consider that there might be Someone else that they need to factor into their thinking. So they march on, cocksure in their finite knowledge of the universe all the while oblivious to the Omniscient Truth. You see, He knows how it ends and because He knows those who will listen can know too and take heart.

The message of the cross is the ultimate message of HOPE! HOPE that we can truly believe in. For only in the cross will we find true HOPE and perseverance. Perseverance powerful enough to see us through the struggles and heartaches that we face, and that we will face in this life. For this is our hope on that Great Day when we come face to face with our LORD after having met every challenge that Satan and his servants have thrown at us we will hear the words, "Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your LORD." Matt 25:23 (NKJV)

So persevere brethren for we know how it ends. Let this HOPE sustain you during the good times and strengthen you during the bad times that I fear are coming upon us all. And more than this, let your perseverance be an instrument in leading others to Christ. For though the people, and the powers that be may laugh, it is God who ALWAYS laughs last! May you laugh with Him, for it may be sooner than you think!