Dear Ones,

Another long time has passed between my blogs. As the days go by, I’m speechless to comment on current events and signs of the times. Yet, as I prayed, a flicker of encouragement stirred my heart from John 12:27, where Jesus says, “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour.’ No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour.” Jesus stayed the course in spite of unimagined agony because He shared the Father’s heart.

Since early childhood, I have waited eagerly for Christ to return and sweep us away to live with Him in heaven forever. My enthusiasm never wains but grows stronger in these perilous times. Words from a hymn come to mind, “Where can I go, Oh where can I go, seeking a refuge for my soul? Needing a friend to help me in the end, where can I go but to the Lord?”

I remember an orphaned Jewish girl in a foreign land when the king sought to replace his former queen with a beautiful young bride. Without given a choice, she enters the palace and the king chooses her over many others. When faced with death and the possible annihilation of her people, she confides in her uncle, who tells her, “For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14).

I pray for God to deliver us from this hour of trial, but if in His love and wisdom, He should tarry, “I cry out to God Most High, to God who will fulfill his purpose for me” (Psa 57:2). I still fervently believe our glorious rapture can happen at any moment. Yet I read, “The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise… Instead He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2Pe 3:9). In unfathomable love, the Father graciously waits before His righteous judgment falls.

While I wait with Him, I know “The LORD will fulfill His purpose for me; Your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands” (Psa 138:8). He chose you and me, this very generation of Christ-followers, a royal position, for such a time as this.

Peter tells us, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9).

Jesus says, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last” (John 15:16).

The Apostle Paul says, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do… God chose you as firstfruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth” (Eph 2:10; 2Thess 2:13).

Therefore, we stand firm by His mighty power during this time of political and global upheaval. Though our lives have drastically changed over the last year and into this year, we rest in God’s promise to fulfill His purpose for us. May we each hear His words one glorious day, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” (Mat 25:21).

Rejoice with me, dear chosen ones, for the power and purpose of God is with us and within us until the end!