of fear. In the midst of individual as well as national restlessness, we can enjoy a perfect calm. How wonder fully this verse illustrates the keep ing power of our God. Day after day He is concerned with our care. This is what Paul meant when, writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, he declared to the Philippian church, “Being confident of this very thing (hope), that he which hath begun a good work of Jesus Christ” (Phil. 1:6). God saved us not to abandon us. He has assured us that He will keep and preserve us until the glorious day of redemption. Peter carries this same message to the hearts of believers as he de clares, “Blessed be the God and Fa ther of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively (liv ing) hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. To an inheritance incorruptible, and unde filed, and that fadeth not away, re served in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be re vealed in the last time” (I Peter 1 :3- 5). No wonder our injunction is to “look for the Son of God from heav en and to wait for him.” This is not a doctrine over which we argue but it is an experience which we antici pate. The Greek word for “wait” is very interesting. I t means to be on the alert; to be expectant; to watch out for. Let me use this illustration. Suppose that World War II is just over. You haven’t seen your boy for three or four years. Suddenly he calls you on the phone and says, “Mother and Dad, I have just arrived back in the States. I’m here at the New York airport and will catch the next plane home.” Let’s further assume that it’s 9
H ave you ever , in the quietness of your own heart, asked your self, “What is my future?” Many people today have no future. No wonder so many are despondent and discouraged. At its face value, a con sideration of the future may bring to some minds only that which is temporal. How few really stop to con sider eternity. They do not know God except as someone whose name can be used in profanity. Those of us who are bom again, who know the Lord Jesus Christ as our own personal Saviour, realize that we do have a blessed future. All those who have never come to this place must meet the Lord not as their Saviour, but as their Judge. Man, in that, or in any hour, cannot blame God. For it is not His divine will that any should lost and be eternally separated from Him. In this day of grace He is dem onstrating His matchless love, grace, and patience. Yet men continue to go about, totally ignoring Him. This condition will not always prevail. We believe that events are shaping up which indicate that the day of grace is rapidly coming to a close. In the light of those things, it is wonderful to contemplate the believer’s future. “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (I Thess. 5:23). It is important to notice the key word “keep” found in this text. In the midst cf restlessness, distress, hopelessness and trouble there is a keeping power for the Christian. In our last messages we pointed out how God shall catch us away before that hour of judgment. To be sure, we are in a world of turmoil and trou ble. Men’s hearts fail them because
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