Pastor’s Thoughts – 10-26-2025

The first major trial in my life that I had to face was the untimely and unexpected death of my brother in 1973. At his funeral my uncle who was a Baptist pastor conducted the service and sang a hymn that I had never heard before. The words I will never forget, “It will be worth it all when we see Jesus, life’s trials will seem so small, when we see Him. One glimpse of His dear face and all sorrow’s will erase. So bravely run the race until we see Him!” These words are profoundly biblical and wise. James puts it another way in his epistle after expressing the hardships of life in our fallen world, “Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until he gets the early and late rains. You too be patient, strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near” (James 5:7-8). One of the reasons God commands His church to continually meet around the Lord’s table is stated by Paul, “For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes” (1 Cor. 11:26). We thrive better in life by having before us the remembrance that Jesus Christ is coming again. The reality of our temporary life is built around the promise that the Lord Jesus will return and move us into eternity. He alone holds the ability to make things good, right, and eternal. And this is what He has promised, “Behold, I am making all things new” (Rev. 21:5).

Paul tells us to, “Set our mind on things above not on things that are on the earth” (Col. 3:2). He goes on to tell us that, “We have died with Christ and our life is hidden with Christ and God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then we will be revealed with Him in glory” (Col. 3:3-4). What an infinite difference this makes in our ability to function in a world filled with four “D’s;” disasters, disappointments, distress, and distractions. These are literally everywhere, and they are aggressively escalating. Paul is telling those of us with ears to hear, we are not to confine our thinking merely to the temporary and immediate. He takes it for granted that we must have food and raiment, and the necessities of life, yet not with anxiety, and perplexity, or in a consuming or distressing manner. We should not think that our happiness is found entirely and certainly not ultimately in the abundant possession of outward things, all of which will disappoint, or deteriorate as temporary. Neither should we foolishly think that everything will be encouraging or go according to our expectations or plans.

Yes, we must abide here, and we should desire to make the most of our temporary stay as beneficial as possible, but that can only happen if our mind is set upon that which is above and eternal. The Bible tells us to take the whole into account, and when we do, we will see that what is promised to come is by far more important than the immediate. It is believing in the promises of God which can take us through the trials of life. One writer has said that we are to live as if life is short, and it is, and eternity is long, and it is! This is why the Psalmist says, “Lord, so teach us to number our days that we may present to You a heart of wisdom” (Ps. 90:12). To do so is not to neglect the responsibilities of life, but to put all things into the right perspective.

King David has written, “The Lord is good to all, and His mercies are over all His works” (Ps. 145:9). Then in Psalm 103, he expresses personally his gratitude in a manner that can only be described as supernatural; “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name.” Then he begins to describe what God does for all His children who reside in faith; “Who pardons all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases; who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion, who satisfies your years with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle” (Ps. 103:3-5).

In reading about King David, we find that his life was a terrible strain. He fought physical hand-to-hand combat killing many people. He was under constant circumstantial distress. He sinned terribly and paid the price of great personal tragedy in his own family. Yet, it is obvious that David loved His Lord. He saw in all his situations that the hand of God’s love and mercy was upon Him. He wrote in his most famous Psalm, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me” (Ps. 23:4). He closes out this same wonderful Psalm; “Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever” (Ps. 23:6). David had a different perspective about living. He knew the trials of life were there and he had many, yet he handled them with thanksgiving knowing God’s purpose and presence through them all. Ultimately, we see where the confidence of David’s perspective found its fullest measure. He had the same truth that was written in the hymn, “It will be worth it all when we see Jesus.” His writing is not just an attachment at the end of Psalm 23, but a culmination when he says, “And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever!” Brethren, nothing matters by comparison to this marvelous reality for those in Christ. It will be worth it all when we see Jesus!