“Last” can be a good or a bad thing.
Last paper turned in to receive your degree.
Last time you saw your grandfather alive.
Last in line. Again.
Last time you changed your child’s diaper or gave them a bath.
Last memory before a traumatic event.
Today is the last day of January, 2022. Most of us don’t think much about moving from one month to another. Maybe we forget to write the new month on checks, (how many of us write many checks any more??) but, really, it’s probably not much of a big deal to move into February. We’ll probably go through this last day of January only barely thinking about it. But some “lasts” are more memorable, problematic or even traumatic.
We tend to think of the time aspect of “last.” But “last” also has to do with enduring. We buy a new car, expecting that it will last several years. We marry someone expecting the relationship to last. We replace an old appliance, expecting the new one to last at least as long as the old. We teach our children to honor and respect and support the long-lasting nation we live in. Time, in this sense, has to do with expecting something to endure.
What happens when it doesn’t? When a friend dies too young? When a marriage dissolves? When the nation we believed in for decades is suddenly torn apart by conflicting ideologies and demonic strife? When the things we believed were Truth and Good turn out to be half-truths (at best) and absolutely not good? When things we believed would endure are suddenly broken beyond repair?
What does endure?
God.
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever…Because I am the Eternal One, I never change…” (Hebrews 13:8 NRSV & Malachi 3:6 VOICE)
When a “last” has left us brokenhearted, know that God is close to you, binding up your wounds, and saving your crushed spirit. “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted, and saves the crushed in spirit. He heals the brokenhearted, and binds up their wounds.” (Psalm 34:18, Psalm 147:3 NRSV).
When your trust in humanity or human institutions or even your belief system is stretched to the breaking point, remind yourself that our God makes us strong and gives us victory over our circumstances. “Some find their strength in their weapons and wisdom, but my miracle-deliverance can never be won by men. Our boast is in Yahweh our God, who makes us strong and gives us victory!” (Psalm 20:7 TPT)
When it feels like one more “last” will take you down, remember that God provides endurance. “God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:12-13 NRSV)
God is faithful and enduring.
Some say we are living in the Last Days.
What about the last “last”?
What about the last day before your earthly death and subsequent heavenly resurrection? What about the last day before Jesus’s return and our rapture? Do we have the firm, grounded, growing, Holy Spirit-led faith that will see us through the rest of our lives?
Are we living each day as if it might be our last – so that we are investing in enduring Kingdom things?
Everlasting God,
Thank you that you, O Lord, are enthroned forever and your name endures to all generations. Thank you for your faithfulness to us and that you provide endurance when we are tested. Thank you that our hope is not found in the things or relationships of this world, but in the person of our Savior and King. Thank you that you are near to us when we are brokenhearted and you will break the power of the wicked while you uphold the righteous. Help us understand that we are living in the Last Days – if not those Biblical Last Days, than our last days. Help us to not be fearful or anxious, but to focus on investing in your Kingdom purposes for our lives. Help us be strong with all the strength that comes from your glorious power. By your Spirit, help us be prepared to endure everything with patience, while we joyfully and thankfully praise you. When the world around us or with us seems dark and hopeless, remind us that you have rescued us from darkness and we are your children. Help us to run the race set before us for the Glory of the Lord Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray, AMEN.
“But you, O Lord, are enthroned forever; your name endures to all generations.” (Psalm 102:12 NRSV)
“For the arms of the wicked shall be broken, but the Lord upholds the righteous.” (Psalm 37:17 NRSV)
“Let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us.” (Hebrews 12:1 NRSV)
“Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.” (John 6:26 NRSV)
“May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” (Colossians 1:11-14 NRSV)