Keep But Don’t Take

Jesus’ special prayer for the Church in John 17 is one of the most beautiful portions of Scripture.  It reveals the heart of God and His great love for His Church.  I am especially intrigued by what He prays in verse fifteen.

“I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.”

There seems to be so much wrapped up in that one sentence.  It speaks to the importance of  being separate from this world, yet not isolated.  It speaks to the fact that God will, at times, allow us to go into a difficult situation, yet He does so with the intention of bringing us through.  It speaks to the duty of the Church and brings an understanding to our purpose in this world.

Everybody has faced some trial of which they prayed the Lord to take them out.  But instead of taking us out, God brought us through.  And when we were on the other side of the trial, we found ourselves made better for being kept through the trial.  And we knew that it was the trial that made us better and the keeping that revealed His love.

If you are in the middle of it right now…

He may not take you out, but I know that He will see you through.