It’s easy to get caught up in all the discouragement and sorrow that surrounds us these days. But what we have to realize is that the worst is yet to come, but more importantly, the best is yet to come. True, we will have to pass through difficulties, but there is plenty of hope to focus on if we remember that Jesus is coming soon and He’ll take us home to a perfect place where there’s no more sin, suffering, or unfairness.

In Luke 21, we find a prophecy of the last days: “And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; when they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand” (Luke 21:25–31).

Have you noticed men’s hearts failing them for fear? Ah, yes, there’s lots to be worried about. But God’s children are called to exhibit a different reaction—one that’s diametrically opposed to the response predominating the unbelieving world. Jesus says, “when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” There’s a reason to look up—our eternal redemption is coming soon. Jesus is coming to take us to Heaven, and the faster prophecies are fulfilled, the sooner we can go home. Jesus told us that when we’d see the signs of the times being fulfilled, we could be assured that the everlasting kingdom of God is coming soon.

As Christians, we have hope. We are to have hope. I can only imagine how scared people must be who don’t know that there is a happy ending to this story of humanity. So, while we will face added persecution because of our faith, we must be able to glorify God even through tribulations, rejoicing that we are counted worthy to suffer for His sake. Now, while we still enjoy freedom and many blessings, we must cultivate the attitude of gratitude and hope in spite of whatever inconveniences and difficulties we face.

“Praise God, brethren, with heart and soul and voice. Even when amid trials, we should be the happiest people on the earth, because our life is hid with Christ in God, and when He shall appear, we also shall appear with Him in glory. We are not living for the applause of the world; we are living for the future, immortal inheritance. We are heirs of God, and joint heirs with Jesus Christ to an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away. When sorrow takes hold of your soul, when persecuted and afflicted, lift up your head, for your redemption draweth nigh. You are to have a life that measures with the life of God. You are not to seek to meet the world’s standard, but to be commandment-keepers, to be members of the royal family, children of the heavenly King, and to enjoy eternal riches.”1

Even though we know that these things have been prophesied and that there is something to look forward to, if you listen to the news and look at what’s happening around you, it might seem impossible to lift up your head. But that’s when we are to turn to God—the One and Only true Solution. Psalm 3:3 reads, “But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.” God is the one who is willing to lift up our heads—to spark hope in a hopeless heart, to spread light and dispel darkness, and to shield us from the prevailing wickedness.

Have you ever questioned where God is when we suffer, or why He allows hardship and ultimately persecution? He’s there and He hears and He knows and He feels just what we’re going through. “It is great kindness on the part of our heavenly Father when he allows us to be placed under circumstances that lessen the attractions of earth, and lead us to place our affections on things above. Frequently, the loss of earthly blessings teaches us more than their possession. When we pass through trials and afflictions, it is no evidence that Jesus does not love and bless us. The pitying Lamb of God identifies His interest with that of His suffering ones. He guards them every moment.”2

When Jesus lifts up your head, He’s asking you to look to Him, to love Him more, to put your affections on things above. He only allows suffering to drive us closer to Him and purify our hearts from the worthless dross of this sin-loving world. God simply permits Satan to unveil his evil character and hideous nature. Throughout the great controversy, we see a revelation of God’s loving care and merciful goodness contrasted with the enemy’s fiendish desire for destruction and devastation.

“The time of trouble is the crucible that is to bring out Christ-like characters. . . . The last conflict will reveal Satan to them in his true character, that of a cruel tyrant, and it will do for them what nothing else could do, uproot him entirely from their affections.”3

When we look back throughout history, we see a record of men and women of faith—individuals who stood on the side of right, no matter the cost. We can observe that it was never easy for them. Nor should we expect it to be any different for us. Nevertheless, we find out that the all-powerful God of Heaven was always in control. No matter how dire the circumstances, God is over all. He promises to make “all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).

We are instructed to give thanks, and praise God’s name. We are to recount past blessings. Another wonderful encouragement is found in observing God’s plan for Bible characters and watching how God has always been in control. “O give thanks unto the Lord; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people. Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works. Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord. Seek the Lord, and his strength: seek his face evermore. Remember his marvellous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth” (Psalm 105:1–5).

So, let’s go ahead and look at some examples:

Joseph had a dream—what seemed like an odd dream at the moment, but was actually a prophecy that nobody believed. How was the little kid going to receive the homage of his whole family? Although he was his dad’s favorite child, even his dad wasn’t too convinced of this idea, much less his brothers who hated him with intense jealousy.

Life soon got much worse for Joseph. His closest kin—his very own brothers—wanted to kill him but then decided to just throw him into a pit, while they enjoyed the food that he had traveled for days to bring them. As if that wasn’t enough, they then sold him to some nomadic merchantmen for a lifetime of slavery. As he was taken captive to an unknown country, he left the shelter of his home life, to instead be treated as a belonging. No longer was he the beloved son of his father. His life was valued at merely 20 pieces of silver.

Joseph had a harsh awakening to what a tough life meant. If anybody has an excuse to question God, it could have been Joseph. But instead, he made a commitment to follow the God of his fathers no matter what.

When he arrived in Egypt, he didn’t stew in self-pity. Instead, he got busy and did his best at his assigned tasks. As a result of his faithful conduct, his owner noticed that everything he did prospered. Sadly though, Joseph would face even more injustice. He is falsely accused and sent to prison.

How would you feel if you were stuck far away from home in a foreign prison with no hope of escape? Would you cultivate a spirit of hopefulness and usefulness? Well, Joseph must have exhibited an extraordinary character, because we find out that the warden grew to trust and appreciate him and put him in charge of the other prisoners.

Had God forgotten about his servant, Joseph? Oh no. We read, “But the Lord was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison” (Genesis 39:21). The Lord was with Joseph through it all. And we all know the end of the story. God had a bigger plan for Joseph and every trial in Joseph’s life served a purpose.

Later on, we see that Joseph recognized God’s hand in turning the evil purposes of his brothers into the means of life for him, his family, and all of Egypt. “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive” (Genesis 50:20).

Yes, God allowed a famine to come, but first He sent someone who would make provision so there wouldn’t be a shortage of supplies: “Moreover he called for a famine upon the land. . . . He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant” (Psalm 105:16, 17). As a result of this whole experience, it says, that God “increased his people greatly; and made them stronger than their enemies” (Psalm 105:24).

But what if Joseph hadn’t kept his head lifted and his spirits high? I’m afraid we would find a very different end to this story. God worked mightily. Joseph was cooperative with God’s plan.

Whom will you worship? How far will your faith take you? These were the questions faced by the three young men in Babylon. They had grown up to be faithful, God-fearing young men. But now, their faith had brought them to the brink of death. The heathen Babylonian king had rejected God’s vision of the future and set up an alternative version more suited to his prideful fantasy. A decree had gone forth that all the people should fall down and worship the imposing golden idol. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego didn’t stoop down and pretend to go with the flow. They were true to their God and stood firm to principle.

The Chaldeans were ready to find fault and accuse the faithful children of God. Soon enough, the king got word of these young men. So, he called them in, offering them a second chance to recant their supposed “mistake” and join in the false worship. But they were not swayed. They made it clear that they had no intention of falling down and worshipping the image.

“If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up” (Daniel 3:17, 18). What faith! The three Hebrew worthies exhibited confidence in God’s power and trust in God’s will, no matter what. They knew that God could save them from the burning furnace, but even if He didn’t choose to work a miracle to save them physically, they were still committed to staying faithful. Why? Because they believed that God’s will is perfect.

How many times do we let our faith be subject to a desired outcome? In other words, we pray for God to perform our will. If He doesn’t, we tend to automatically get discouraged. But the lesson we learn here is to maintain an unshakable confidence in God’s answers, even when they don’t make sense to us at the moment. We must be ready to die rather than sacrifice our faith.

We find a similar experience when we look at the story of Daniel and the lion’s den in Daniel 6. Again, the worship of God was at stake. Daniel remained faithful. Though prayer was prohibited by law, Daniel understood that prayer is the life of the soul. Nothing could stop him from continuing to communicate with his Creator. He wasn’t ashamed of his actions either; he opened the window, as usual. When he got thrown into the den of lions, I’m sure his prayer life continued even more ardently. We know that the Lord worked miraculously in the situation and ultimately, His name was vindicated, His follower was protected, and the evil culprits were destroyed.

God is the expert in turning circumstances around. When people intend harm, God works through those very situations to bring good out of it. Though the future may appear dreary, we can look forward to watching God’s hand at work on our behalf—we can lift up our heads and point our hopes heavenward.

“When the law of God has been made void, and apostasy becomes a national sin, the Lord will work in behalf of His people. Their extremity will be His opportunity. He will manifest His power in behalf of His church.”4 God is no different than He ever has been. In ages past, He has wrought mightily for His people. He will do the same for us, if we are on the Lord’s side.

In The Great Controversy, there is a beautiful description of God’s care for His followers in the end. We can and we should claim this promise over and over so that when we reach those difficult times, we’ll remember the approaching outcome. “The people of God—some in prison cells, some hidden in solitary retreats in the forests and the mountains—still plead for divine protection, while in every quarter companies of armed men, urged on by hosts of evil angels, are preparing for the work of death. It is now, in the hour of utmost extremity, that the God of Israel will interpose for the deliverance of His chosen.”5

“Ye shall have a song, as in the night when a holy solemnity is kept; and gladness of heart, as when one goeth with a pipe to come into the mountain of the Lord, to the mighty One of Israel. And the Lord shall cause his glorious voice to be heard, and shall shew the lighting down of his arm, with the indignation of his anger, and with the flame of a devouring fire, with scattering, and tempest, and hailstones” (Isaiah 30:29, 30). The question is: will we have a song when imprisoned? Will we have gladness of heart while suffering persecution and faced with death?

“With shouts of triumph, jeering, and imprecation, throngs of evil men are about to rush upon their prey, when, lo, a dense blackness, deeper than the darkness of the night, falls upon the earth. Then a rainbow, shining with the glory from the throne of God, spans the heavens and seems to encircle each praying company. The angry multitudes are suddenly arrested. Their mocking cries die away. The objects of their murderous rage are forgotten. With fearful forebodings they gaze upon the symbol of God’s covenant and long to be shielded from its overpowering brightness.

“By the people of God a voice, clear and melodious, is heard, saying, ‘Look up,’ and lifting their eyes to the heavens, they behold the bow of promise. The black, angry clouds that covered the firmament are parted, and like Stephen they look up steadfastly into heaven and see the glory of God and the Son of man seated upon His throne. In His divine form they discern the marks of His humiliation; and from His lips they hear the request presented before His Father and the holy angels: ‘I will that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am.’ John 17:24. Again a voice, musical and triumphant, is heard, saying: ‘They come! they come! holy, harmless, and undefiled. They have kept the word of My patience; they shall walk among the angels;’ and the pale, quivering lips of those who have held fast their faith utter a shout of victory.”6

In order to look up in that day, we have to practice looking up spiritually today. We must, as the eagle, be soaring above the clouds of this world. Our minds need to focus on where we’re headed—where we belong.

Are you a resident of this world or are you just a pilgrim in this world? If you want to be victorious, you must be holy, harmless, and undefiled. So, don’t be content to preoccupy yourself with the sin and suffering in this world, because those things are temporary.

A glorious day is coming. . . . We are on the brink of eternity. . . . Are you ready? “And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the Lord; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation” (Isaiah 25:9).

God’s name will be vindicated. His people will be saved. So, look up!