We’ve all felt it — that aching lie that tempts even the strongest believer:
“If I can just get through this one stage, things will get better.”
It sounds so hopeful. But behind it lies a silent disappointment: the hope that peace and ease come from changing circumstances, not from abiding in Christ.
We say to ourselves:
- “Once I get married…”
- “Once the children grow up…”
- “Once we buy our home…”
- “Once we retire…”
But the trials don’t disappear; they only evolve.
Scripture never promises ease on earth — only grace. And that grace is not a thing. It is a Person: Christ Jesus, full of grace and truth.
“And the Word (Christ) became flesh, and lived among us… full of grace and truth.”
— John 1:14 AMP
The Lie We Want to Believe #
This deceptive thinking trades on our God-given capacity for hope, but wrongly directs it toward better seasons, not a better Saviour.
It tempts both the immature and the theologically sound:
“Once I’m financially stable, I won’t worry.”
“Once I get married, I’ll overcome temptation.”
“Once I retire, I’ll finally rest.”
But in real life — and more importantly, in Scripture — peace doesn’t come from the absence of pain, but from the presence of Christ.
The battle never ends, but grace never leaves.
Nehemiah: Hardship Doesn’t End #
Nehemiah rebuilds the wall of Jerusalem against unrelenting opposition — mockery (Nehemiah 2:19), deception (Nehemiah 6:1–4), slander (Nehemiah 6:5–7), and spiritual manipulation (Nehemiah 6:10–13).
He might have thought: “Once the wall is built, peace will come.”
But even after its completion, new trials surface. The city needs repopulation (Nehemiah 7:4), and sin remains in the hearts of the people (Nehemiah 13). He never gets to ‘settle down.’
Nehemiah learned what we must all embrace:
Christ: Our Shield in the Storm #
Like Nehemiah, we are called to build and fight, not with bricks, but with the gospel of peace.
But we don’t just build walls, but we are being built as living stones (1 Peter 2:5), and Christ is both our Cornerstone and our Shield.
“My grace is sufficient for you [My lovingkindness and My mercy are more than enough—always available—regardless of the situation]; for My power is being perfected [and is completed and shows itself most effectively] in [your] weakness.”
— 2 Corinthians 12:9 AMP
John Newton understood this when he wrote:
“His grace has brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.”
Grace doesn’t mean the danger is gone. It means Christ is present in the danger.
Looking Up and Looking Back #
1. Look Up:
Nehemiah prayed constantly. In the face of enemies, confusion, and fear, he looked to heaven:
“But now, O God, strengthen my hands.”
— Nehemiah 6:9
We must lift our eyes to Christ, the One seated at the right hand of God, interceding for us. His Spirit lives in us and strengthens us from within.
2. Look Back:
Nehemiah 7 lists the names of exiles who had returned a century earlier. Why? To remind the people of God’s past faithfulness.
We, too, look back not just to past victories, but to the Cross and the empty tomb.
“I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that You have done; I ponder the work of Your hands.”
— Psalm 143:5 AMP
The past work of Christ fuels present endurance and future hope.
The Contrast of Two Hopes #
| False Hope | True Hope in Christ |
|---|---|
| “Life will get easier if…” | “Christ is enough even if life gets harder.” |
| Peace comes from a better season | Peace comes from a better covenant |
| Joy is tied to less pain | Joy is tied to Christ in pain |
| We build walls to feel safe | Christ is our Rock and Refuge |
No Heaven on Earth — But Heaven in Us #
Until the resurrection, we will not see paradise on this earth. But we are not left alone.
Christ is in us — the hope of glory. And when He appears, we will be like Him.
“Beloved, we are [even here and] now children of God… we know that when He comes and is revealed, we will [as His children] be like Him.”
— 1 John 3:2 AMP
So don’t wait for ease.
Embrace the fight. But fight with Christ in you, not for a life without battle.
In Christ,
Shaliach.
