Just a word of encouragement for those times when it seems like the whole world is against your faith.

God is not concerned with numbers. Never has been.

When violence and evil characterized the whole world, he saved eight people on an ark. Only eight were faithful, only eight were preserved.

Of the 600,000+ fighting men that came out of Egypt during the Exodus, only two went into the promised land. They chose faith over fear. The rest fell in the wilderness because they did not trust what God had said.

When the walls of Jericho fell, only Rahab and those she gathered in her home were safe because of God’s promise. God did not care that she had been a harlot or a Gentile. When she chose to believe in him, everything changed. God does not dwell on our past. He plans for our future.

Jesus made it clear that few would find the way that leads to life whereas many would be in the broad, wide way that leads to destruction. Surely this is why ancient Israel was warned not to follow a multitude to do evil. Still, like those mentioned in John chapter twelve, many believe but refuse to obey because they love the approval of men more than the approval of God.

God so loved the world that he sent his son to save it. Jesus said regretfully that though many are called, few would be chosen.

Jesus came to his own people and they rejected him. The world will reject you too, if you choose to follow him. Few are willing to endure such rejection.

Noah and his family endured it. Joshua and Caleb endured it. Rahab endured it. Jesus endured it. You can endure it.

God loves the world, but he doesn’t need the world. The world needs him. You and I don’t need the world and we cannot afford its approval. We need God and he approves of you already.

So hang in there and keep living out your faith in Jesus the Christ. You know the world won’t last. God’s kingdom, however, is “already” eternal.