Forthright Magazine http://www.forthright.net Straight to the Cross Do the Twitter! http://twitter.com/forthrightmag COLUMN: FINAL PHASE Truths to Remember by J. Randal Matheny, editor When in the course of human events, the saints meet with disappointments, opposition and miscarriage of justice, they have recourse to comforting truths. 1. God is in control. Writing to Christians under a seemingly all-powerful government, John wrote, "Then I heard what sounded like the voice of a vast throng, like the roar of many waters and like loud crashes of thunder. They were shouting: 'Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the All-Powerful, reigns!'" (Revelation 19:6). 2. God uses evil to produce good. The God who wrought salvation out of the greatest injustice of all, life from the most grotesque death, works today in the same way. "And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28). 3. Give thanks in every circumstance. Paul and Silas sang praises in a prison. Where God rules and works in every moment, there is ample reason for gratitude. "In everything give thanks. For this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 5:18). 4. God's people press forward to continue his work. Many churches are pulling back from involvement in world evangelism, when this is a time to double efforts. To saints under pressure from the world, Peter writes, "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may proclaim the virtues of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light" (1 Peter 2:9). These are truths to embrace, truths to practice. -- To comment on this article, don't reply to this email. Rather, go here and insert your comment in the box below the article: http://www.forthright.net/final_phase/truths_to_remember.html You can help get the word out. Here's how: http://www.forthright.net/editorial/lend_a_hand.html