Wednesday, August 10, 2016
“When We See Christ” is a fairly well known Christian song which was popular around a generation ago and is still among my favorites. I encourage you to check it out when you can. I'm sure you can find it on you tube. To me, it’s main message is that anyone who trusts in the Lord and lives a Christ honoring life can expect to receive many blessings because of it. Of course, the majority of those who live for God do so because they just flat out love Him. Because we are human, however, we sometimes wonder if the things we sacrifice from time to time will be worth it in the end. The writer of the above named hymn, Esther K. Rusthoi, addressed that particular issue in her beloved song. Here’s what the very first stanza and it’s chorus says: [ Oft times the day seems long / Our trials hard to bear / We're tempted to complain / to murmur and despair / But Christ will soon appear to catch His Bride away / All tears forever over in God's eternal day……… * It will be worth it all when we see Jesus /Life's trials will seem so small when we see Christ / One glimpse of His dear face all sorrow will erase / So bravely run the race till we see Christ ]
One day, Peter heard Jesus’ conversation with a rich young man who asked Him what he had to do to gain eternal life. When the Lord suggested he sell his possessions and give the money to the poor, Peter saw the rich man walk away sad because he was not willing to go that route. Because of it, Peter turned to Christ and, implying that he and the rest of the Disciples had left a lot to follow Him, asked Him “what will be there for us?” Jesus replied in part: “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.” (Matthew 19:29) Simply put, serving the Lord, just like today’s hymn says, is definitely worth it.
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters in Christ, don’t waver in your Christian walk. If we are honest, we will all admit that sometimes living for Christ and standing for what is right, is not easy. I read this quote recently which impressed me so much, I intend to put it up soon on our church’s marquee: “It is better to walk alone, than to walk with a crowd that is headed in the wrong direction.” Remember that one day we will all say: “it was worth it!”
God’s promise for today: (Galatians 6:9) “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
