My dearly beloved, I your mom, have written all that is in this devotional book "that you may believe...and that believing you may have Life" (John 20:31).
Wickedness and evil is on the rise. "Fret not...they will soon fade" (Psalm 37:1-2). Neither be "envious...for the evil man has no future" (Proverbs 24:19-20). "The wicked will be destroyed" (Psalm 145:20) "and those who hate the righteous will be condemned" (Psalm 34:21). "The Lord's enemies will...vanish like smoke" (Psalm 37:20).
In the midst of evil you are neither alone nor the first. "Others (long before you) were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented— of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. And all these... obtained a good testimony through faith" (Hebrews 11:35b-39a).
Expect the righteous to decrease in number and increase in suffering. Whatever lies ahead, the hour will arrive when "He will wipe every tear from their eyes; (when) there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, (because) the old order of things has passed away” (Revelation 21:4). Cling with all your might to the confession that "to live is Christ", and "to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21).
A firefly's glow is not worthy to be compared with the sun, just as "the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which will be revealed" (Romans 8:18). I do not wish to minimize the horror you have or may see or suffer in your lifetime. But I am imploring you to adopt an enduring, eternal perspective. No matter what comes, God will help, strengthen, and defend you until He calls you Home. (Psalm 55:22, 2 Cor 12:9-10, 2 Cor 4:7-12; Phil 4:11-13, Col 1:11-14). Stand fast on the Rock of Christ, as I have tried to do, though in great weakness, as an example for you.
Our deaths and all that precedes them are un-refusable, but the angel of death cannot refuse the power of Resurrection Life and all that follows it. Love Mom
