Recently I was very encouraged by a single line of scripture that was expounded in a devotional calendar I read from every day. The verse was from Revelation 1:9: "I, John . . . was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the Word of God, and the testimony of Jesus Christ."
This sounds pretty dismal! Can you imagine being exiled to die on a lonely island in complete isolation with no friends or family and only a big body of water surrounding you? This sounds unbearable, it also sounds very unfair. What was John guilty of? Surely he murdered someone or stole from someone or was guilty of some other heinous crime?
Actually not! He was guilty of living for Christ and sharing the Word of God; he was guilty of standing for the truth! Even though John lost everything and it seemed that he would finish off his life being useless, God had other plans! Through John's banishment God gave the world and every true believer the last great message of the Revelation of Jesus Christ. The world was doing its best to keep John from living for God, but the Lord is always in control, and He uses what seems most difficult for a greater purpose and blessing to the one who is suffering.
What about you? Are you experiencing isolation, loneliness, and attacks from those who don't understand your situation? We can look at these things as God's hand against us, or we can look at these things as opportunity for God to work in our lives.
The only thing that will last out of our short little lives here on earth is what we do with the Lord Jesus Christ and His Word. Each one of us is either pushing God's Word away or receiving God's Word and using it in our lives.
Where do you stand concerning God's Word and the person of Jesus Christ? Who is He to you? Can you respond that He is the Son of the Living God (Matthew 16:16)? Can you say the same as the writer of the book of the Galatians: "The Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me" (Galatians 2:20)?
If you don't know Jesus Christ as your Savior, you are missing out on the very purpose God has put you on this earth. To know Him, is to know life eternal (John17:3). Whatever you are going through in this life, nothing can compare to the horror of dying without Christ and meeting God in your sins.
May you use this time to cry out to God for His mercy and know His goodness through the salvation that Jesus offers. Salvation isn't about being saved from your problems; it's about being saved through your problems and knowing that whatever happens you are in God's grip-never to face judgment for your sins.
God's Word says that He causes all things to work for good for those who love the Lord Jesus (Romans 8:28). Have you received His great love? Seek the Lord while you can and call upon Him while He is near (Isaiah 55:6).
Why are you here? Are you living by the Word of God for Jesus Christ? John was suffering for the greatest reason of all-he was willing to die for His Savior. When we look at life with an eternal perspective, these things on earth that tend to get us down are very small and temporary. Despite the pain and loneliness, we can trust God that He is up to something good-actually something spectacular! The Lord is gracious and merciful; slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love (Psalm 145:8). This thing will be a blessing to not only you by drawing you closer to God, but to a whole host of people you know and even those you don't know. "'For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways,' says the Lord. 'For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts'" (Isaiah 5:8–9).
Becky Kew shares good news at Sandy Bay First Nation, Manitoba, Canada. BeckyKew@ outlook.com.
