Archaeologists in Galilee recently uncovered a 1,600-year-old coin hoard buried in an ancient underground complex at the Hukok site in Lower Galilee, which provided evidence of the Jewish rebellion against Rome.
About 22 coins were discovered in a narrow device at the end of a winding tunnel, which seemed to have been intentionally hidden during the Gallus Revolt of 351–352 CE, in which Roman forces crushed a Jewish rebellion. Such an event in history demonstrates a longing for hope and survival amid the surrounding chaos. Although they were defeated, this story surrounding the resistance of the Jewish people indicates that they were looking beyond something greater than themselves and those around them. As we know, they were looking to the Lord, the God of Israel. The God who has long covenanted with them, including through Abraham, Moses, David, and ultimately, Jesus Christ.
This hope does not neglect the fact that we live in a fallen world, where sin is present everywhere. However, no amount of evil can ever diminish or nullify the hope we have in the Lord. As Christians, we must ask the following question: “When history uncovers reminders of human resistance and longing for freedom, how can we point to Christ as the true Deliverer who brings a kingdom no empire can bury?”
Faith That Endures the Waiting
You and I know as believers that we still live in a fallen, sinful world despite being saved. We can acknowledge that we are living in an already, not yet stage in terms of waiting before the Lord returns ever since He ascended back into Heaven following His resurrection. In the words of the apostle Paul, in his epistle to the Romans, “For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now” Romans 8:22 ESV. Although the apostle is talking about creation likewise struggling because of a sinful humanity, Christians await Christ’s return, as we will be given glorified bodies that are no longer bound by sin.
“For in this tent we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan under our burdens, because we do not wish to be unclothed but clothed, so that our mortality may be swallowed up by life,” 2 Corinthians 5:2-4
Both creation and Christians long look forward to the final deliverance from this fallen world, as we know that this place is not our home. We are strangers and aliens on this earth (Ephesians 2:19), where we will face opposition, especially against our faith. No one said that the Christian life would be easy. If anything, it is even more difficult as the challenges we face are more than just challenges, but the testing of our faith.
True faith goes beyond words but perseveres amid trials. James, the half-brother of Jesus, writes, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:2-4). Trials are inevitable, yet necessary for the steadfastness of our faith. It should never be stagnant, complacent, or cold but growing, thriving, and in motion. Don’t ever think that it is smooth sailing to Heaven because it is not. At the same time, this long and often arduous journey is worth it because it builds our faith in the Lord. So we must continue to look unto Jesus, who is the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:1). He is the one who always makes intercession for us (Hebrews 7:25), therefore we can grow in faith continually, no matter what trials we face.
God’s Works in the Past, Present, and Future
In Psalms 78, the Psalmist Asaph writes regarding the works of the Lord in the midst of struggle, where it seems like the Lord is absent.
"I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds. Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God? You are the God who works wonders; you have made known your might among the peoples. You with your arm redeemed your people, the children of Jacob and Joseph. Selah." - Psalm 77:11–15 (ESV)
Christians, we know that God has done much work in our lives. We can always look back and be encouraged in light of what He’s done for us, especially through Christ on the cross. They are worth pondering, meditating, and rejoicing as He is good and His works are good. And just as the Lord has worked in our lives, but the work continues as He will finish the good work He began in us (Philippians 1:6). Elsewhere in Philippians, the apostle Paul writes “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13, italics mine). Friends, rejoice that the Lord is at work because He loves us, even in the midst of trial. No amount of challenges or oppositions can ever nullify or diminish His work in our lives. Just as it is impossible for God to lie (Hebrews 6:18; Numbers 23:19; Titus 1:2) it is also impossible for Him to fail for He sends His Word forth and doesn’t return void (Isaiah 55:11).
A Kingdom That Cannot Be Shaken
Just as His work never ends, God’s Kingdom likewise endures forever. As the Scriptures state,
“His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion endures from generation to generation” (Daniel 4:3). Although the kingdoms of this rise and fall, the Lord’s kingdom reigns forever supreme for it is a kingdom that “cannot be shaken” (Hebrews 12:28). Now that is a kingdom that we very well know that can never fall or be conquered for the Lord has conquered all and we are more than conquerors in Christ who loved us (Romans 8:37). If in Christ, than we cannot be shaken for now we are part of His unshakeable kingdom.
Friends, that is true stability and deliverance as we no longer live for ourselves but for the Lord. We can have hope in Christ amid this fallen world because He is our hope. There is no such thing as hopelessness in Him. So we can always be encouraged in Him as we continue on with our lives until we die or He returns. Although we will face many battles in this world and in our lifetime, the battle belongs to the Lord, who has already won the war through Calvary. As the classic hymn goes:
"My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus' name. On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand: all other ground is sinking sand; all other ground is sinking sand.
In the end, we win because Christ won on our behalf for His glory. Therefore, let us stand firm on the solid Rock today, for we can never lose nor be shaken.
Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Alexander Nedviga
