How many times in your life were you pretty sure you were about to die?  Yet you’re still here to read this.   But what if the Lord came to warn you that your time was nearly finished here?  What a great kindness.  Who can testify that this has happened to them?  I suspect a few have received such grace from Jesus.  But where are they to ask?

Hezekiah found out that the Lord’s words are promise of surety.   “In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith Jehovah, Set thy house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live.

² Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto Jehovah. . .”  (Isaiah 38)

What a blessing if we were living until we heard those words.  We would have time to set things right.  But that isn’t the case, is it.  Most of the time, death comes unannounced and unwelcome.   What a blessing to encounter the end of this world prepared to enter eternity.  I write this to praise the Lord’s kindness.  But I also write this to help others wake to the reality of this temporary place of testing.

It is no great difficulty to parade as a Christian when times go rather well.  Tiny set backs can be surmounted by the slightest reserve.  And when our possessions are confiscated, we have little difficulty perceiving that we are being counted as one of His children.  For we know that the world strives to retain what is rightfully theirs.  We have heard and believed that we are counted as heirs of God’s things.  So joy can be found in persecution of various sorts.

But what if we are the ones who have plundered our own treasures?  What if our unwillingness to obey His commands has ripped our faith?  What then?  We are the thief.  We are the murderer.  We find ourselves in a prison of our own making.  What then?

How should it be different when we are set upon by ourselves?  We are commanded to endure even such foolishness and treachery.  Consider what the writer of Hebrews wrote:  “Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.” (Heb. 10:35)

I write this for the sake of encouragement.  I know how devastating rebellion can be.  Our faith wanes horribly; even to the point of unbelief.  But our God is wise.  He has known us from the beginning.  He knows what reward He holds in His hand for all His people.

We are commanded to obey.  But we are also commanded to have faith.  Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.