As the bloodied and beaten Paul, still trying to recover from those who tried to stone him to death, stood in the presence of his brothers and sisters in Christ in Acts 14, he encouraged those new believers by saying these words.
“strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22).
We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God. I sometimes hate this fact. I wish I could rip it out of the Bible (please forgive my raw emotions right now). But whether we seek to deny this truth or avoid it, we will eventually be punched in the face with this reality over and over again until Jesus makes all things new (Revelation 21).
The Devil has come down with great wrath because he knows he has a short time (Revelation 12). This assault on the church that has happened from the first century is orchestrated by the Dragon, that Serpent of Old, the Devil, the Father of lies. Satan, our Adversary, is coming at us with full intensity because he hates God and His people and His cause. Satan seeks to destroy and he’s been a murderer from the beginning.
But read Revelation 12. Even though it looks like he’s winning, he just keeps losing. Go read it. Look at how many times Satan loses just in Revelation 12. And we win with Jesus.
And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death (Revelation 12:11).
I know it doesn’t seem right now like Satan is losing, but we must trust in the promises of God and in the power of Jesus, the King of Kings. The Devil has already lost and his end and eternal destruction is certain.
So, hold on.
Hold on when you are in the middle of a tsunami of suffering. When the pains of life are crushing you under their weight. Hold on. God is faithful. Jesus wins. Hold on to Jesus. Hold on to God’s unchanging hand. Hold on to godly brothers and sisters around you. Hold on to each other. Hold on.
We are going through a lot of storms. Storms of abuse, betrayal, infidelity, death, disease, accidents, tragedies, and on and on the storms go. But in the end, Jesus wins. Jesus makes all things new.
Time is filled with swift transition, naught of earth unmoved shall stand.
Build your hopes on things eternal. Hold to God’s unchanging hand.