ISAIAH 17:13-14: The nations will rush like the rushing of many waters; but God will rebuke them and
they will flee far away, and be chased like the chaff of the mountains before the wind, like a rolling
thing before the whirlwind. Then behold, at eventide, trouble! And before the morning, he is no more.
This is the portion of those who plunder us, and the lot of those who rob us.
What do Assyria, Babylon and the Roman Empire have in common? All of them, at one time or
another, conquered Israel. Yet they share another commonality – none of them exists today as a
nation.
You will never get an Assyrian stamp in your passport. No one will ever proudly announce to you, “I’m
a Babylonian!” None of these once-powerful nations has survived into the 20th century – but Israel
has.
Throughout history men and nations have demonstrated their hatred for God’s people. The Roman
Emperor Diocletian is a good example. He issued an edict in 303 A.D. designed to annihilate the
Christian religion and destroy the Bible.
The emperor even built a monument on which were inscribed the words Extincto nomene
Christianorum (The name Christian is extinguished). Only 25 years later, however, the emperor was
dead, and the new ruler, Constantine, commissioned 50 copies of the Bible to be prepared at
government expense.
Are you facing persecution at work or school? Maybe people in your own family are seeking to
discourage you from living out your Christian faith. God never promised that you wouldn’t face these
kinds of trials.
What He did promise, however, was that ultimately those who afflict His people will fail. Your day of
difficulties may seem long, but it won’t last forever. Take heart! Morning is coming and when the sun
rises, the night of despair is no more.
FOR EVERY NIGHT OF TROUBLE, THERE’S A MORNING OF GLORY.