“Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.” (Matt. 13:43)

AT A SMALL CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL, the elderly janitor sat on the bleachers of the gym reading his Bible as the boys finished basketball practice. As they were leaving, one boy decided to have some fun with the man. “Hey, Pops, what’re you reading there?” the boy asked, in a slightly taunting tone.

“The book of Revelation,” the janitor said softly.

“Oh, that’s a real puzzler,” the boy said. “Even preachers don’t always understand it. So you think you do?”

The janitor jingled the ring of keys he held. “Well, young man, I may not understand all of Revelation, but I know this. In the end, the good guys win.”

We’re often captivated by future events such as Jesus described in His parable, and we’re also anxious to know how it all ends. At any time of suffering and strife, we naturally seek reassurance of God’s control. And we get it, for the Scriptures are replete with many passages that reassure us God will ultimately triumph.

Perhaps you’re more concerned right now about some current problem. If so, it’s important to remember that just as God guides and controls the far future, He also does for the everyday. His promise at any time is secure—and the good guys always win.

Apply God’s promises for the future to your present situation.

Anne Adams lives in Athens, Texas, where she writes a weekly historical column for the Athens Review newspaper.

© 2018 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission.