Everyone likes to use the phrase the best is yet to come. If you are not a Christian the worst is yet to come. Your life may be golden here, but in the end your life will be Hell for eternity.
Indeed, the best for a Christian is to be in Heaven so the best is yet to come. However, that does not mean the path there will not include some spots along the way that seem like Hell.
Those preachers who promise nothing but peachy keen prosperity, health and constant happiness are either ignorant of the Bible, deluded or maybe even demonic.
Read the whole chapter of Hebrews 11. A great many saints did not see the same victories as the ones we like to quote. Indeed, the Apostles were all jailed and executed except for John who was exiled. Many other disciples like Stephen died because of their faith in that day and we have myriads of martyrs dying daily for their faith today.
What makes you think that you are so special that you were never suffer trials, temptations, sorrows or less than a peaceful dying in your sleep? Instead of saying, "Why me?" say "Why not me?"
Psalms 73:1 A Psalm of Asaph. Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.
2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.
3 For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4 For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm.
5 They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.
6 Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.
7 Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.
8 They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.
9 They set their mouth against the heavens, and tongue walketh through the earth.
10 Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.
11 And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?
12 Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.
13 Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.
14 For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.
15 If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.
16 When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;
17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.
18 Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction.
19 How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.
20 As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.
21 Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.
22 So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.
23 Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.
24 Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.
26 My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
27 For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.
28 But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.
Looking at this passage, it would almost appear that If you are having a great life, you are one of the wicked, not the righteous. Keeping it in context with all Scripture, God does bless a few with riches, but I don't believe He could trust most of us with great wealth as we do not do well with the wealth He has given us.
In our days since the ascension of Christ this is what we are to expect.
2 Timothy 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
Suffering any persecution for your faith? Maybe you are not living a godly enough life to be worth the attention of evil men or even the demons. You are no threat to either and you bring no conviction to the unrighteous.
Philippians 1:29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
30 Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.
What? Suffer, not live in mansions, wearing Armani, Rolex and driving expensive cars?? That's crazy! No, that is the mission and honor to suffer because Jesus suffered and Paul illustrated this with his own life as the example of what happens to the dedicated, radical disciples of Jesus. Paul is talking to all Christians, not just leaders. Read Paul's resume in 2 Corinthians 11. Does yours have any of those elements?
We are too fat, dumb, entertained and happy in our little fairy tale world, but storm clouds are rising and we can see and hear distant lightning and thunder. Persecution is coming that will rock our world. As they say, we need to be "woke" and we shall be. The wheat will be separated from the chaff and the tares will be revealed. When it actually costs something to be a Christian many will not want to pay the price. Will you? Will I? May the Holy Spirit empower us to stand! Maranatha!
