Let Your work appear to Your servants, and Your glory to their children. And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us. (Psalm 90:16-17)
In the verses just before the above text, Moses appeals to Heaven for compassion, mercy and reprieve from the afflictions suffered by God’s people. In that context, he now prays that God’s goodness and favor upon His servants would be made evident to them and to future generations. It is also implied that, when His glory is manifest upon the children of God, the whole world will take notice. Think of it this way: the world has borne witness to the suffering and persecution of God’s people through the ages to the degree that some would consider them cursed. And if so, why would anyone want to be considered as part of God’s people? For that matter, if this is what happens to His people, what does that say of Him?
When Yeshua addressed the congregation of Philadelphia, His words implied that He had been paying close attention to their suffering and hardship, yet without intervening it would seem. He acknowledged their perseverance and commitment to His Word, and how their experience had left them with little strength. It would seem that, in the process, they had been worn down but had not capitulated to the world. Then He says, “I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you” (Revelation 3:9). In other words, though they had likely been maligned and threatened by those who perceived that their God would not interfere, the Lord will make their enemies to know that they are dearly loved by Him.
The point of this is to say that there is coming a day when all who have accused and abused God’s people without restraint will be compelled to acknowledge His favor upon them. There is coming a day when He will openly display His love for those who have been faithful to serve Him in the face of opposition, persecution and adversity. There is coming a day when He will set a distinction between His people and the world that testifies of the fact that service to God is rewarded in ways beyond our imagination. In short, we and our children shall behold His work — His salvation and glory — and will see that He has always been with us and will always be with us. Thus it is written:
Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; but the Lord will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you. The Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. (Isaiah 60:1-3)
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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