“It is said an Eastern monarch once charged his wise men to
invent him a sentence, to be ever in view, and which should be true and
appropriate in all times and situations. They presented him the words: ‘And
this, too, shall pass away.’ How much it expresses! How chastening in the hour
of pride! How consoling in the depths of affliction!” ~ Abraham Lincoln
A phrase from 2 Corinthians 4:18 offers the same sentiment: “What
can be seen lasts only for a time. . .”
In other words, this, too, shall pass.
No earthly situation or circumstance is forever. While in
the midst of trials and suffering, we can be assured that one day, sooner or
later, things will change. Likewise, we cannot depend on wealth, prestige, or
good health—for these things also are temporary.
But what if we looked at ourselves and our situation in this
moment, whether it is challenging or uplifting, and realized God has allowed us
to be exactly where we are for a purpose? In Esther chapter 4, Mordecai asks
Esther, “Who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as
this?”
What if we are where we are, “for such a time as this”? Is
there an assignment from God in our trying situation? Is there something we can
accomplish for Him only by going through the fires we are facing?
Has God given us a favored position so that we can better
serve Him and reach people with the gospel of Jesus? How can we put our
influence, our resources, our gifts and talents to work for God?
We are where we are “for such a time as this.” Let us grasp
this moment for Jesus, see our situation as a divine assignment “for such a
time as this”, and search for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity God is
offering, for, “this, too, shall pass.”
Be encouraged!
Pam©2019 Pamela D. Williams
Comments welcome via Facebook
or writepam71@gmail.com.
