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“Let us, then, without ever wavering, keep holding firmly to the hope we have, because God can be fully trusted to keep His promise.”
THESE ARE REALLY trying times, but God’s people ought not be daunted. Rather, they should trust God fully, for “God is not a man, that He should lie. He is not a son of man, that He should be sorry for what He has said. Has He said, and will He not do it? Has He spoken, and will He not keep His Word?” (Num. 23:19 New Life Version). And God does not renege on His promise, as His chosen servants of old, the people of Israel, testify, thus:
“I praise the Lord. He has given peace and rest to his people Israel. That’s exactly what he promised to do. He gave his people good promises through his servant Moses. Every single word of those promises has come true.” (I Kings 8:56 New International Reader’s Version)
God also has a promise to the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) in these last days. Through many prophecies in the Bible, He promised to be with His Messenger and to uphold this last work of salvation. It behooves every Church member then to have full confidence in God, heeding the admonition of the apostles, thus:
“Let us, then, without ever wavering, keep holding firmly to the hope we have, because God can be fully trusted to keep His promise.” (Heb. 10:23 Last Days Bible)
Today, when troubles and hardships abound, Christians will do well to heed Apostle Paul’s reminder, thus:
“So never allow yourselves to get uptight and anxiously concerned about anything. But in every situation, you must earnestly continue to plead with God in prayer about your problem and the needs you have. And be sure to thank Him for the way He will work everything out, for His great interest in you, and for His many blessings of both the past and present. … And because of your generosity, my God will supply all your needs from His glorious riches, which are available to you thru Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:6, 19 ldb)
Members of the Church Of Christ in these last days should never be afraid of whatever dire situation they may be in. They have God. They ought to pray to Him and be thankful for His continued protection toward the great day of the Lord Jesus Christ’s return.
As they pray to the Father for all their needs, the words of the Lord Jesus Christ ring clear:
“All things you ask for in prayer, you will receive if you have faith.” (Matt. 21:22 nlv)
Having faith means not having a “single doubt” (James 1:6–7 ldb). Moreover, “faith is being sure of the promises we hope for and being certain of what we have not yet received …” (Heb. 11:1 International English Bible).
There is no reason for God’s chosen people to doubt that they shall be heard by Him in their prayers. The Bible attests:
“You know that the Lord has chosen [set apart; distinguished] for himself those who are loyal to him [in covenant relationship with him]. The Lord listens when I pray [call] to him.” (Ps. 4:3 Expanded Bible)
God will listen to the prayers of His chosen ones who are loyal to Him.
In the Christian era, the chosen ones are in the Church which is the body of Christ as Apostle Paul taught, thus:
“God loves you and has chosen you and made you his holy people. So [As God’s chosen, holy and beloved ones; Ex. 19:6; I Pet. 2:9] you should always clothe yourselves with mercy [a heart of compassion], kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. … Let the peace that Christ gives [of Christ] control [rule; arbitrate] your thinking [hearts], because you were all called together in one body [the church as the body of Christ] to have peace. Always be thankful.” (Col. 3:12, 15 exp)
Apostle Paul likewise assured the members of the Church Of Christ of all the blessings God has promised (Eph. 3:6). However, our Lord Jesus Christ has set the condition for them to be heard by God and receive what they ask of Him, thus:
“You did not choose me; I chose you and appointed you to go and bear much fruit, the kind of fruit that endures. And so the Father will give you whatever you ask of him in my name.” (John 15:16 Good News Bible)
This serves as the basis for the continuing call of Brother Eduardo V. Manalo, the present Executive Minister of the Church, for Church members to share their faith, carrying on what his predecessors have rallied members of the Church Of Christ to do during their respective stewardship. And every member is expected to bear “the kind of fruit that endures.” It is thus that the Church Administration exhorts all members to abound in faith, love, and hope, for them to remain in their divine calling until the day they shall receive the reward of eternal life.
Much is at stake. Since the emergence of the Church Of Christ in these last days, its members have encountered so many things already. And for all that they have gone through, Apostle Paul advised them, thus:
“Remember how it was in those days after you heard the truth. You suffered much. … Do not throw away your trust, for your reward will be great. … The Holy Writings say, ‘In a little while, the One you are looking for will come. It will not be a long time now.’” (Heb. 10:32, 35, 37 nlv)
Theirs may not have been a smooth journey as they met all sorts of tests and trials along the way. No matter what, they must not throw away their trust and confidence in what God can do. They must never doubt, even for a while, the great reward that God promised them to receive soon.
It is truly reassuring to know that God is always there in every part of their journey, and that “He helps those who are in trouble; he lifts those who have fallen” (Ps. 145:14, gnb). As the day of salvation gets nearer, problems—made even worse by the onslaught of calamities—may come unabated. But this is the conviction of God’s faithful servants:
“Then they cried out to the Lord because of their problems. And he saved them from their troubles.” (Ps. 107:6 nirv)
These are trying times alright! God’s faithful servants ought not be daunted, though. Rather, they must fully trust God and implore Him, thus:
“Listen closely to my prayer, O God. Hear my urgent cry. I will call to you whenever trouble strikes, and you will help me. … so look down in pity and grant strength to your servant and save me. Send me a sign of your favor. When those who hate me see it, they will lose face because you help and comfort me.” (Ps. 86:6–7, 16–17 Living Bible) ❑
