John 17:15
I pray not that Thou shouldst take them out of the world.
It is a sweet and blessed event which will occur to all believers in God's own time--the going home to be with Jesus. In a few more years the Lord's soldiers, who are now fighting "the good fight of faith" will have done with conflict and have entered into the joy of their Lord. But although Christ prays that His people may eventually be with Him where He is, He does not ask that they may be taken at once away from this world to heaven. He wishes them to stay here. Yet how frequently does the wearied pilgrim put up the prayer, "O that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away and be at rest;" but Christ does not pray like that, He leaves us in His Father's hands, until, like shocks of corn fully ripe, we shall each be gathered into our Master's garner. Jesus does not plead for our instant removal by death, for to abide in the flesh is needful for others if not profitable for ourselves. He asks that we may be kept from evil, but He never asks for us to be admitted to the inheritance in glory till we are of full age. Christians often want to die when they have any trouble. Ask them why, and they tell you, "Because we would be with the Lord." We fear it is not so much because they are longing to be with the Lord, as because they desire to get rid of their troubles; else they would feel the same wish to die at other times when not under the pressure of trial. They want to go home, not so much for the Saviour's company, as to be at rest. Now it is quite right to desire to depart if we can do it in the same spirit that Paul did, because to be with Christ is far better, but the wish to escape from trouble is a selfish one. Rather let your care and wish be to glorify God by your life here as long as He pleases, even though it be in the midst of toil, and conflict, and suffering, and leave Him to say when "it is enough."
Spurgeon’s Daily Devotional.
The title of “Standing Strong with Patients” has me wondering if I am in the hospital, mental hospital, or a doctors office?
If I am standing strong with “patience”, which is suffering without complaining or annoyance, that is different. I thought the title of “Standing strong with patients” was funny and a straight jacket could be fitting for some here.
Point well made...........HIS timing being perfect for everything......How much more patient are we in the waiting when we are NOT IN PAIN. To the LEFT BEHIND....I PRAY that YOU turn to GOD so that HE may open your EYES and through JESUS be SAVED.....before it is really to late.
Beautiful ! Thank you for posting Ross. i think most of us here just 'long' to be with our Savior as we are worn/weary from this evil and lost world, of whom many many do not want to 'hear' of the Good News of our Lord & Savior. i am praying for many of these, as they, themselves are going thru tumultuous trials; if we as believers are worn/weary, how much 'more' are the lost and dying.... i'm sure many are scared/angry and without hope as they go about things they need to get done, and see the world in utter dismay. May we all continue to pray for them & opportunities to offer a helping hand whenever we …
Thanks Ross for your summary of the tense situation. You're blessed with the gift of communicating in a concise, logical manner. It is a blessing to me that you are here, I appreciate the clarity you bring as we wait and watch for Jesus to return to the clouds and take us home. Trust and Faith, love you Brother!✈️❤️✝️
Thankyou, Ross, for this article..as it's a pertinent message for these perilous times we live within. We, who have understanding and wisdom of the times have a stronger wish to escape from the evil world...our innate narcissism at work; myself included. I need to remind myself constantly that Jesus is at my right hand and I do not have a need for fear or anxiety. Trust in Jesus, He, alone, saves me. 🙏 💕