The Clarity of What (Part 2)
Psalm 90
The capacity to truly delight is forged in the furnace of affliction.
But two things are certain: You will face trials, and God will be with you through them.
While everything around us is changing so rapidly, let’s return to Psalm 90 and the timeless truths of the God who never changes.
Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords. Revelation 19:11, 16, ESV
Spoiler alert: In the end, Jesus Christ wins.
Scripture tells us repeatedly and pointedly that Jesus Christ, the Mighty Warrior, is always victorious. Make no mistake about it. Jesus is going to win. Someday the clouds will break open, and we will see Him on a white horse (Revelation 19:11). His powerful appearance will be breathtaking and terrifying: “His eyes are like a flame of fire. . . . He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. . . . From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords” (19:12–13, 15–16). With simply a word, He will instantly set the world in order. In the end, Jesus Christ wins.
All of history leads to Jesus’ victory, and all of God’s promises culminate in Jesus. We experience God’s promises through Jesus.
For example, do you need peace, that calm assurance that God is in control? Ephesians 2:14 assures us that Jesus “himself is our peace.” Remember, God doesn’t dispense peace like a pharmacist filling a prescription: “Take two, and call me in the morning.” He gives us Himself. God doesn’t have to give us something. He is the something! Jesus Christ fulfills the promise of God’s peace.
It’s Christ’s presence that takes away fear.
It’s Christ’s sovereignty that assures and calms us in the face of doubts.
It’s Christ’s goodness that renews us when we are weighed down by despair.
It’s Christ’s watchfulness and intervention that keep us from faltering.
And it’s Christ’s inevitable victory that assures us we will not fail.
When we think about times of trial in our lives, if we really pinpoint what’s most difficult about the trial, it’s the not knowing. The biggest reason why we fear, doubt, despair, and falter is that we don’t know how it’s all going to end.
Every one of us lives with some level of uncertainty. You’re not alone in this struggle. You have some insecurities in your life right now; I’m living with some question marks too. Yours might take the form of a health crisis, a broken relationship, a financial problem, a wandering child, a self-destructing family member.
Think of the stresses that keep you awake at night, those issues that linger on the edges of your thoughts and never fully go away. If you definitively knew when and how that circumstance would end, you would be okay. If you could foresee that it would end well, then you could bear the waiting. If you could predict with certainty that it would end badly, then you could prepare yourself for what’s to come. It’s the not knowing that pushes you to the limit.
A football team doesn’t give up because they lose a few yards. Their focus is on the final score, not one bad play. We fixate on our momentary trials (2 Corinthians 4:17), wondering, How will this finish? If only we knew.
We do know.
God is always victorious. Ultimately, I will not fail. Sure, I will experience some pains and losses along the way. But in the end, because Jesus wins, so do I.
Journal
Pray
Lord God, by faith I choose to lift my eyes from my momentary trials to the final outcome. Jesus wins. No matter how my life looks or feels today, ultimately Jesus wins. And as an adopted son or daughter of the living God, because Jesus wins, I do too. Teach me an eternal perspective, Father. Though life is painful, it’s short. I set my heart on eternity, and I thank You that I know exactly how this all ends. I pray in the name of Jesus, King of kings and Lord of lords, amen.
Authentic Newness (Easter)
John 19:38-42, John 20:1-9
The word “new” has really been on my heart this Passion Week. Resurrection is about new.
As dark as it was in the Old Testament, as dark as it was in on Good Friday, that is how bright and new everything is today – because of the empty tomb, because of the Living Savior, Jesus Christ.
That heavy burden you’ve been dragging around? God the Son wants to move toward that painful place in your life where you can feel the most despair and destitute – and bring that exact place to life with His living newness.
Invite Jesus to meet you there now, then watch this teaching and celebrate His triumph!
5 Responses To The Gospel of Jesus Christ | John 11:45-53
The Greatest Verse in the Bible | John 3:16
Overcoming the Obstacles To Eternal Life | John 3:1-15
Jesus Christ, the Glory of God: Believe Him | John 2:1-12
The Day of the Lord: Hope or No Hope? | 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 | Hope Springs Eternal
First Thessalonians is sobering yet hopeful, warning us of judgement to come for unbelievers – but great hope for those who put their faith in Jesus Christ.
Those far from the Lord will instantly awake to the totality of their reality error. But those who are alive in Christ will be rescued by the rapture to watch in safety from the balconies of Heaven.
Take time to learn (or be reminded of) these incredibly important truths in God’s Word about what is to come…
The Greatest Hope We Have | 1 Thessalonians 4 | Hope Springs Eternal
Numbering My Days | Psalm 90 | Living Life on Purpose