It is through many tribulations that we enter heaven. So isn’t some kind of celebration in order when the fight has been fought and the race has been run? When we act as if it is better to have our temporal life in front of us, what are we thinking?
Don’t we want to graduate from this school when the time comes? And if, contrary to what we expect, the Lord indicates that our training is finished sooner rather than later, where is the problem in that . . . if we’re reaching forward?
Though the way of escape will always be provided, it has to be taken before it will do us any good. The Lord’s protection and help are not automatic or involuntary — they have to be appropriated by a free-will choice to say “No!” to sin.
Even in terms of our short-term spiritual growth, we need to make more specific plans than we sometimes do. If all we have is a vague, unspecific desire to make progress, we won’t move ahead much. We have to commit ourselves to some specific goals.
A. W. Tozer wrote, “Strange as it may be, the holiest souls who have ever lived have earned the reputation for being pessimistic.” Have you ever considered that spiritual growth might require you to start being more pessimistic about some things?
Joseph was thankful that his brothers had sold him into Egyptian slavery. Such “useful” things are obviously harder to attribute to God and to give Him thanks for. But Paul said, “In everything, give thanks,” and I believe he meant just what he said.
Sometimes, the best way God can teach us that we need His help is by letting us do without it for a while. After that, we’re in a better position to be grateful for the help when it does come. And it surely will come, when God sees the time is right.
Those who can see only what is happening at the present moment are prone to depression. We must develop our vision to look outside of ourselves and our private discouragements. If we have the eyes to see, there are wonderful things to hope for.
Zaccheus had a disadvantage; we have our own. He overcame his hindrance by the intensity of his interest; so can we. From this “wee little man,” then, we should learn to reach forward to God with a passion that will not be denied.
Anguish is simply an indication of unmet needs. In this world, even as Christians, we will have needs that are achingly unfulfilled. As long as we cry humbly and reverently, it is not wrong to cry honestly and deeply, “How long, O Lord, how long?”
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