A fierce unpredicted storm paraded across the horizon up-rooting trees, breaking large branches off trees and all that goes with a powerful storm. From my perspective, storms that stop traffic and wreak destruction are easier to handle when I have been forewarned .
The Bible warns us of a major life-changing storm will come in the last days that will separate the wanna-be or artificial Christ-follower from the authentic one. In the midst of that, while Jesus warned this time would come and generations of people have talked of it and thought it was about to come — so far nothing has happened. It seems obvious that God is far more concerned about the process of waiting for the end than in providing us a comfortable trip to our destination.
Paul wrote, to the believers in Thessalonica, …[people] even report how you turned away from false gods to serve the real, living God 10 and to wait for his Son to come from heaven. His Son is Jesus, whom he brought back to life. Jesus is the one who rescues us from {God’s} coming anger (1 Thessalonians 1:9-10, GW) But what does wait for His Son look like today? What is wrong with this picture—or does waiting look different than we imagine? The truth is the waiting process reveals more about the belief and commitment of the person who waits than it does about the person for whom they wait. It exposes how much the anticipating person believes and loves the person for whom they are waiting. Books and movies are made of those possessing a deep, inner conviction who had to patiently endure all forms of pain before seeing their reward. We honor prisoners of war for that reason. Those listed in Hebrews 11 whom we highly esteem made that list not because of great achievements but because they modeled the pedigree of conviction of those who possess authentic faith. The Bible says, But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6, NKJV). Jesus said Everyone will hate you because you are committed to me. But the person who patiently endures to the end will be saved (Matthew 10:22, GW)
There is an old saying, When the going gets tough, the tough get going – meaning when the situation becomes difficult, the strong will work harder to meet the challenge. Those God intends to be in His Heaven are those who have tenaciously maintained their love and faith in Him long after the multitudes dropped out. The Old Testament Bible character named Job was a prime example of that. Please remember, the New Testament Apostle Paul warned, Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons (1 Timothy 4:1, NLT2) We all know that a track race is not won by the first one out of the starting blocks. It is won by the person who gives all he/she possess to break the tape at the finish line.
So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised. “For in just a little while, the Coming One will come and not delay. And my righteous ones will live by faith. But I will take no pleasure in anyone who turns away.” But we are not like those who turn away from God to their own destruction. We are the faithful ones, whose souls will be saved (Hebrews 10:35-39, NLT2)