And I will afflict the offspring of David because of this, but not forever.’ (I Kings 11:39 ESV)
Fear Not… Then Wait
A few months ago, the back inside of my Sunday shoe dug a hole in my heel. I noticed the pain, but I ignored it. Finally, after far too much time I consulted my Chief Medical Expert, my wife, who looked at it and was astonished. It was a strange, deep, swelling wound. She prescribed some wound care treatment, and I settled in for a long healing process.
It hurt for a long time
But once my wife got involved, I knew the pain would have an end.
The people of Israel, as King Solomon ended his life and reign, followed Solomon down a rebellious path. And God was disappointed. The result was a kingdom broken into North and South, ruled by men that the people deserved.
And it hurt. It hurt worse than my heel. God’s people endured Jeroboam and Rehoboam; Ahab and Ahaz; Athaliah and Jezebel.
But before God did any of that, He promised that the pain would not last. He would not afflict His people forever.
It was the same promise God gave in Genesis, after Adam’s fall.
A savior would come.
Whatever pain we are enduring, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual, it will not last.
We do not need to fear our trials and troubles and problems. They will not las
Because of Jesus, who took our burdens on HIS back. Even (and maybe especially) the burdens we’ve earned.
Fear not, then wait.