When we are first converted, the Lord often makes us keenly aware of all the blessings that lie ahead of us. Heaven seems just around the corner and the blessings of eternity seem close at hand. We are zealous to read Scripture, to obey God, to pray, and to serve Christ, and the Lord’s reward seems near. But how can we know the length of life, the hardships, the persecutions, injustices we must face? We advance however, not being able to prepare for all things beforehand. If we keep our eyes fixed on our goal, Jesus Christ, and if we remember often what he has done for us and promised us, then our view of heaven will not fade and we will be able to put up with all the tribulation. Indeed our view of heaven will grow clearer as we grow in knowledge and spend time with the Lord.
Unless the Spirit of God is at work in us to renew our strength and our willingness to do good to others and bear their burdens, we would soon faint, for no human resolution is enough to see us through to the end. We must not rely on changeable men and women, but on the Son of God who is the same yesterday, today, and for ever. He does not have second thoughts about calling us to be his people. He foresees all our weakness and failure and yet still loves us. He does this because of what he knows he will make of us, and it is his determination that must carry us through, for he desires our good more than we desire it ourselves.