Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. (John 8:32)
The title of today’s word of encouragement comes from Charles Dickens 1859 classic novel, A Tale of Two Cities. Dickens was comparing and contrasting life in London and Paris during the French Revolution. He begins his tale with a clear vision that no matter how good it is in life, it simply cannot be matched with all the bad that goes with it. Conflict is all around us and in us – good and evil; light and darkness; wisdom and folly; love and hatred. And I think this accurately describes not only our cultural moment for the church today, but all of our individual lives on this side of glory. In looking back at our lives, we can all see times we would describe as both best and worst, yet our Lord used all of it for His glory and our good.
While the number of professing Christians are going up, the understanding of biblical Christianity is going down. Many in the church today know little of the Bible, and even less of the weight of God’s glory. They sit under the teaching of theologically barren pulpits that preach a false gospel of prosperity that mutes the biblical message of suffering, while at the same time magnifies the message that you can have your best life now. While numbers are up, knowledge is down. It is the best of times and the worst of times.
So, what is the best way forward? We need to remember there is a Truth and His name is Jesus Christ. Jesus is in control of all things at all times and in the lives of all people. He is working everything out according to His plan and purpose for the expansion of His kingdom. When Jesus promised trouble in this world, He was essentially promising we would experience both the best of times and the worst of times, but we would never experience either alone. Paul knew this truth by way of personal experience.
I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret to being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. (Philippians 4:12)
Paul experienced the best of times and the worst of times throughout his ministry of service to Jesus. And he provides the key that unlocks the door to living the “tail of these two cities” in the following verse – “I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS ME!” Regardless of the times we are currently experiencing, whether good or bad, high or low, best or worst, when we have the Truth in us, with us, and working through us, we have all we need to do all the things God has called us to do.
Because nothing is new under the sun, every age can say “It was the best of times and it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness.” Keep Jesus on the throne of your life and for you, it will always be a “spring of hope” even if you find yourself in “the winter of despair.”
This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!
Grace for the Race 