Luke 10:19-20
I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.
Think back about the times when you felt that a miracle had taken place in your life. In fact, just remember the times when you rejoiced because God had protected you as you made a long journey with no accidents or incidents.
Certainly we are to rejoice in all things, but as I read this passage in Luke 10, I am wondering if we focus too much attention on specific answers to prayer. If we see God at work in a particular situation, we jump and shout for joy. But if we do not experience that same sort of answer, we may tend to be dismayed.
Jesus is telling His followers the real reason for believers to rejoice is that we have our names written in heaven. There are many things we may not see that are fantastic miracles, but the greatest of all is that we have entered into eternal life the moment we are born again.
You and I may witness to someone and feel them reject our testimony. It no doubt causes us to feel discouraged. Days, weeks, months, even years later and thousands of miles away, that person can feel the tug of the Holy Spirit and remember what we shared with them. Only eternity will reveal the fruit of our faithful ministry. Hang in there, faithful believer. Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning! Praise the Lord!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil