“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone, with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.”
Revelation 2: 17
Most of the promises in Scripture are given to those who overcome - those who persevere in believing, hoping, enduring all things and walking in the Way of the Messiah. The message “You’ll win -if you don’t quit!” seems to be the undercurrent of the Prophets, Epistles and Psalms. It’s as if all of heaven is willing us to persevere and endure to the end, knowing that it will be worth it.
Life Behind the Veil
The Lord Jesus, in perfecting His leadership of our lives, often doesn’t make all the consequences, implications and minute details of our life choices clear in the moment. He very often doesn’t tell us that we only have 2 weeks left of the present difficult season, or that, we shouldn’t take out that loan, because, tomorrow this one or that one will come with a cash-upfront job opportunity. Instead, He says,“Trust Me.Persevere in the unknowing, and watch me provide ‘hidden manna’ in the place of your overcoming.
Watch Me create a way that would otherwise be inaccessible and certainly unknown to you. Step out of the boat and trust Me; I won’t let you sink.”
I can almost hear Him saying:
“Overcome, Beloved!
Overcome and receive the Divine provision I have set aside for my holy ones in whom Il my delight.
Persevere to the end and receive a new identity in me that will secure you in the face of difficulty. “
For the Joy Set Before Us
The joy of this life, and the gifts we have to give in this age, are our voluntary love and persistent trust in a period where much is veiled. We see only dimly, as in an ancient copper mirror… not yet knowing the full story. Indeed, blessed are those who have not seen, and yet believe!
But, (and this is a glorious “but”), we do know how the story ends!
There is coming a day, when faith will become sight. Then, we will see with our eyes all the out-workings of our small decisions, and the fruit of the quiet little ways we chose Jesus in this life. The curtain of heaven will be pulled back, and the Beautiful God-Man, will boast of our faithfulness before the Father. He sees! He knows the struggle of being human, and the tremendous cost of faith on this side of eternity.
He will rejoice over us before the witness of all of heaven, not missing a single detail or cup of cold water given in His name (though long forgotten by us): “Well done! Good and faithful servant! Come and enter your Master’s happiness!” will echo through the halls of the throne room,and, this generous God will reward us eternally, for every seemingly unimportant decision made often in secret-unseen, unknown and/or overlooked by men.
Therefore, let us run the race marked out for us, beloved ones, and press on to take hold of that for which Christ took hold of us. He who began a good work in us is faithful to complete it. Oh, highly esteemed ones of the Lord, the trials, hardships, setbacks, disappointments and griefs are working in you a greater glory that far outweighs them all.
Fight the good fight. Persevere to the end. Finish well.
Francesca is a daughter, friend, avid reader, attorney-at-law, and porridge connoisseur. She enjoys Jesus and fulfilling His purposes for her life on Earth.
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