IT IS WRONG TO WOE

Woe to me that I dwell in Meshek, that I live among the tents of Kedar. (Psalm 120:5)

When Jesus prayed His high priestly prayer for His people, He did not pray that we would be taken out of this world, but rather that we would be protected from the evil one. We must absorb this truth today: What Jesus did not pray for us, we must never pray for ourselves.

It is wrong to cry “Woe is me” and wish to be received into glory. We have been left here to carry on God’s work in this world, just as our Lord did when He walked the streets of Palestine. We are in this world but not of this world, and we have been called to impact this world for the glory of our God. Jesus sent us into this world to be salt and light, and we are to do everything we can to preserve what good there is in the world around us and to shine the light of His truth and love into every dark place.

Where would you expect to find the doctor except where there are sick in need of his care?  Where would you expect to find the soldier except where a battle is raging? So it is with the saints of God. We are to be found wherever Jesus is needed, and that, beloved, is in every place on this side of the grave. To be sure, we dwell in Meshek and live among the tents of Kedar, for our world is filled with the powers of darkness and the forces of evil. Far too many in this present age scorn the good and embrace evil. But this is the very reason that our Savior prayed for us—not that we would be taken out of this world, but that we would be strengthened within to be ministers to this world.

God did not leave us to expand His kingdom in this world in our own strength. We have been given the power of the Holy Spirit to do all He has called us to do; and when we do that, we are bringing glory to God and eternal good to all those we come in contact with. So if you find yourself weary in your witness, remember that it is wrong to woe when you know your Savior has commanded you to go!

May these words from Paul strengthen you and propel you forward in your ministry of service to God and to a world that desperately needs to know the love of Christ:

I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith.

(Philippians 1:23-25)

This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!