For The Elect’s Sake!
Mark 13
KJV
20+ And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.
That God is aware of whatever we go through is an undeniable fact, a truth confirmed by the above passage. In trials and temptations, He intervenes by shortening the duration and impact these have on His chosen ones.
Also, it is a fact that when He pours out His wrath, we, His chosen ones, are not immune; we are equally affected. Take the case of Elijah, when he declared that there would be no rain, this also affected Him!
But true to His Word, He made a way of escape for Elijah Read it;
1 Kings 17:1-4
NIV
[1] Now Elijah the Tishbite, from Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word.”
[2] Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah: [3] “Leave here, turn eastward and hide in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan
. [4] You will drink from the brook, and I have directed the ravens to supply you with food there.”
The lesson is summed up in the words of Paul ;
Philippians 4
KJV
12+ I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
Beloved, there will be times of “ abundance “ and times of “ need” This was what Elijah learnt through experience and so did the Apostle Paul.
When calamity befalls a nation or a people it affects God’s children also; the only difference is He cushions them! He made birds with little beaks feed Elijah, the question is how much food can they carry with their beaks? But as the saying goes, half a loaf is better than none!
What is more, He made Elijah live on “charity” , none but a widow with little resources was his source of support and sustenance. A situation any once well-to-do person will reject, but not Elijah! The Apostle Paul also lived on charity as he recounted in the following scriptures ;
2 Corinthians 11:9
NIV
[9] And when I was with you and needed something, I was not a burden to anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied what I needed. I have kept myself from being a burden to you in any way and will continue to do so.
Beloved, the lesson is clear as a child of God learn to live a humble life so that if it comes to eating garri you’ll eat it joyfully! If it came to receiving help from the ordinary, you’ll do so cheerfully and thankfully.
As was the case with Elijah, the duration of suffering was shortened, yes for the elect’s sake God will do the same for us. Suffering will not be long nor will it last forever! What we need to do is to wait patiently on the Lord!
We are not immune to suffering just like the rest of mankind, as Isaiah said we shall walk through fire, rivers and waters just like others; the only difference is He has His Hand on the thermostat
Isaiah 43
KJV
2+ When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
Yes for the sake of the Elect, God will make a way for us where there is none! There will be lights off in the Land, but He will let the Moon shine brighter to lighten our homes!
He did to Israel when they were in Egypt ;
Exodus 10
KJV
22 And Moses stretched forth his hand toward heaven; and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days:
23 They saw not one another, neither rose any from his place for three days: but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.
Yes, the taps may not flow for a time but He will make sure the little we have will take us far if we use it wisely. He will let water come to us from sources we least expect! As He did to Israel in the wilderness and to Elijah the same He will do to us.!
When we least expect that’s when He acts so we trust and glorify His Name. What are you going through, it will not last long for the sake of the Elect He will shorten the duration!
This is a true testimony confirmed by many; beloved your redemption is nearer than you think. Just keep faith in God. Yes after the rain comes the sun.
As was sung by Johnny Nash “ I can see clearly now, the rain is gone ... I can see all obstacles in my way ... Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind ... It's gonna be a bright (bright), sun shiny day!
Endure. Endure. Endure! Hold on!
A faith to share.