If you’ve been reading this blog for any length of time, you will have probably come away with the message that difficult times are imminent (and are now here in some respects) for the church in the West, and that we need to be prepared, dug deep into the Rock of Christ. But also hopefully you’ll have heard the message that within and amidst these times of trouble, will come times of blessing and joy.

How can this be? This is because we are a people of hope. We must not be misled, there is a Golgotha road to travel. But beyond that road, beyond the cross, is the promise of life – life everlasting “to him (or her) who overcomes”.

And we do not walk this path alone. “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you”. Whatever man may find in his heart to do, God can and has done so much more. So take heart – neither you or I are able or capable. But we serve One who is.

So many times in the New Testament we are exhorted to patient endurance – as Romans 5 testifies, this is the virtue that, in time, produces the very hope we all need to survive.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,  fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy that was set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Hebrews 12 v1-3