Saving the Best for Last

Saving the Best for Last

And he said to him, “Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!”

John 2:10

How often does life remind us that God’s way is not the world’s way!  On every hand there is the evidence that the world offers its best first, while hiding the doleful dregs of a situation well away from the eyes of the soul it is beguiling.  We see the multitude laughing at some vile joke off in some sin-sodden atmosphere.  After the laughter, there are the tears which arise when the laughter has died.  There is the pleasure which seems so intense that it prevails, until the moment subsides; and after that the pain comes on apace.  The thrill of the illicit success gives way to the pangs of regret which follow.  The ‘good’ thing now holds sway while the ‘evil’ things bide their time in the wings.  The world concentrates on ‘a short life and a merry one’ without regard for a long, Christless, miserable eternity.

By contrast behold how God saves the best for last.  In Christ’s first public miracle, of turning water into wine, we see Him setting forth the Divine procedure of saving the best for last.   God has permitted sin, but provides salvation.  He allows, and at times even sends, pain; yet by it sanctifies, matures and perfects His chosen.  He allows the curse, and yet behind it comes the everlasting blessing.  For us who know Christ, “weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.’

Ours is a brief and, in many ways, difficult earthly existence; but there is abundant life for those Christ gathers to Himself and beyond it our eternity both blessed and bountiful.  Let us cheer you along the way, Saint of God.  Our future is as bright as the grace Christ gives and the purpose He intends for our good.

Our Lord, Master and our Friend,

we rejoice today in Thy way

of doing things.

We praise Thee

for saving the best till last.

Where the Bush is Burning

Tomm Tice