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&In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths&

“The Rest Of The Story"

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A phrase made popular by a man named Paul Harvey.  The rest of the story has been heard over the radio for many years and became one of the most popular short stories on the radio.  As I have noticed so many people, myself included, being so discouraged lately at how it so often appears that the devil is winning and gaining ground on God's children, the thought occured to me that we so easily lose sight of the rest of the story.

Back in the year 1815, there was a battle which became known as the battle that ended what was known as the Nepoleonic Wars, which lasted from 1803 until 1815.  This battle was between a man named Nepoleon Bonaparte and his troops of about 72,000 and the Duke of Wellington and his troops of about 68,000.  This battle became known as the Battle of Waterloo and lasted three days.  Now, it is said that the Duke of Wellington intended to encourage his troops by sending a signal broadcast to them in code with lights.  Well, the very battle was delayed because of rain and as the signal to the troops began to go out, a heavy fog covered the area.  As the troops began to read the signal, all they saw was, "Wellington defeated".  This indeed was very discouraging to the troops as they continued in the battle that raged.  Three days later however as the fog lifted, the signal came through clearly, "Wellington defeated Nepoleon at Waterloo".  The troops finally got the "Rest Of The Story".  What had seemed so discouraging, in reality was very encouraging as not only was the battle won, but the war was won.

About two thousand years ago, Jesus Christ fought a battle upon a cross at Calvary.  Now, His disciples had followed Him for many years and had been taught by Him.  They had trusted Him as their saviour and they were sure He was the one who would save mankind.  One day, after He was betrayed, and tried and sentenced, He was crucified upon a cross.  Now, Jesus had told His disciples many time what would happen, but they just couldn't grasp the fact that their saviour could be put to death.  As Jesus hung upon that cross, it seemed that all hope was lost and as He cried "It is finished", it seemed a heavy spiritual fog covered the land and the signal that was read was, "Jesus Christ defeated".  What a discouragement to the disciples and the world as their only hope was put to death.  Three days later however, that spiritual fog lifted as it was discovered that Jesus had risen from that grave.  Now the, "Rest Of The Story".  The signal was, "Jesus Christ defeated Satan upon the cross of Calvary". 

Friends, the devil was there when that battle took place and he knows he has already been defeated.  His job was and still is to discourage us from serving the Lord and he will put us in a spiritual fog in any way he can, because he knows his time is short.  Every time you or I get discouraged, it is the devil who does it and that discouragement is his spiritual fog that keeps us from seeing the rest of the story.  No matter how bad things seem to us, let us not lose sight of that signal, "Jesus Christ defeated Satan on the cross at Calvary".  The victory has already been won and the only battle left is the one where Satan tries to keep us from doing the will of God.  It was God's grace that saved us and it is that same grace that will keep us until He says, "It is finished".  If you have not felt the attacks of the devil, it is a sure sign that he has already got you where he wants you and I beg of you to ask God to help you get back into His will for you.  If you are experiencing these attacks of discouragement, then take joy in knowing the rest of the story.

There are those who will tell you that there will be peace while you are here on this earth, but God's Word warns of these people.  It is so true that in knowing the love of God and what He has done for us, give us a peace that passes all understanding, but that is an inner peace that no one can explain.  We do and will feel this peace, but as far as worldly peace goes, there is no peace.  We can however, when realizing the rest of the story as I have just explained, take comfort from the scriptural words of a song written by someone who apparently had been experiencing such a spiritual fog as I have just described.  I won't write the whole song which is very good, but just the parts that I believe describe the peace we can know will come.

Well, I'm tired and so weary, but I must go along; Till the Lord comes and calls me away. 

There will be peace in the valley for me some day.

Well, the bear will be gentle, and the wolf will be tame;

And the lion shall lay down with the lamb.

Well, the beast from the wild, shall be led by a little child;

And I'll be changed, changed from this creature that I am.

There will be peace in the valley for me some day.

Friends, this is so true, because God has promised it and in the meantime, we must seek to do His perfect will, no matter how much the devil tries to discourage us.  God bless you!