A 'BETTER' END

"Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit" (Eccl 7:8).

Those who are patient in spirit will have a better end than others. We read of how patient Job was and about his end. "Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy" (Jms 5:11). Here we read that, because of his patience, Job's end was like the end of the Lord. Can anyone expect a better end than this? Although we do not read of how Job died, his end was like the end of the world. The Lord was very pitiful and of tender mercy particularly at the end of his life.

The patience spoken of here is a special patience. "Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the Coming of the Lord" (Jms 5:7). This patience therefore refers to patiently waiting for the Coming of the Lord. The end of such saint, whether it is their departure or the Rapture, will be better than their beginning and rather like the end of the Lord.

May the Lord grant us the grace to watch and wait patiently for His Coming.

"Oh may we never weary, watching,

Never lay our armour down,

Until He come, and with rejoicing

Give to each the promised crown."

- Late Pastor T.U.Thomas, in Morning Manna