Faith Over Fear of the FutureSample

In the World of the End, BE DETERMINED

We must endure to the end.

In the face of what is to come, it will likely be tempting from time to time to give up. It’s too far and too tough of a journey. There are too many obstacles in the way. Wouldn’t it be easier just to go with the flow of things rather than struggling against the current of world events and our changing culture?

Perhaps in the short run, it might feel that way. But the one who gives up the fight, who does not run the race to the finish, does not receive the promised reward. And the reward for faithful perseverance far outweighs our momentary troubles on this broken planet.

Endurance is not a passive affair. It takes a lot of strength to hang on and stay standing when everything is shifting beneath your feet. But God does not leave us to stand on our own. He sent His Son so that we might be saved. He has sent His Word to us that we might be fed. He sends the Holy Spirit to guide us. He clothes us in armor against the enemy. He listens to our prayers. He sends pastors and teachers to help us grow, counselors and comforters to bind up our wounds. He has adopted us into a family of brothers and sisters in the faith who can help us walk through this life and pick us up when we stumble.

In Acts 20, Paul told the Ephesian elders, “See, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God” (vv. 22–24).

One day, Jesus will reign in glory over a New Earth and a New Heaven.

And there you will be also.

No matter what we encounter in our world, let you and me be faithful to our Lord. Let us be determined.

Was this plan helpful? We adapted this plan from the book The World of the End: How Jesus’ Prophecy Shapes Our Priorities by Dr. David Jeremiah. Check it out for more.