Aiden Matthams
John 16:21-22 "A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you."
It's true that in this world, we will have trouble. I'm glad that Jesus didn't sugar coat it. He always did say that there would be times of sorrow, but He also said that afterwards comes joy and new life.
And I think that globally, it's plain to see that the whole earth is in labour, preceeding the return of Jesus and the end of all things.
Earthquakes, natural disasters, wars rumours of wars, famines, pestilence...It's all coming together just like Jesus said it would.
I believe our current sorrows can't compare to the joy that's coming in this life and beyond.
These are the last days, but God also said He would pour out His spirit on all flesh. And this great end times harvest is about to break forth like nothing we've ever seen before.
There is encouragement that we have a promise from God for the future! I don't know about you, but I need that!
Sorrow might last for the night, but Joy comes with the morning. Something amazing is going to happen.
My prayer that I keep coming back to is that, God would give us grace to stand in an evil day, and that God will help us to be found faithfull until the end when Jesus returns. We all need his help. I need it.
Matt preached yesterday that he who endures until the end will be saved.
This is the time to pray!
We have to endure the labour pains, but we can look forward to the joy that's coming.
Prayer:
Father thank You that you don't leave us in the dark about these days that we are in. Thank You for giving us Jesus and giving us Your word that we can hold on to! Joy comes with the morning! In Jesus' name, Amen.