Is That In The Bible? 5

~ “This Too Shall Pass” ~

This posting is a response to a blog entitled “7 Things You Won’t Find in the Bible… I Dare You to Look.” I am taking that challenge! The fifth listed phrase was “This too shall pass.” I would agree that the phrase is not found in our English Bible—but what about the principle behind the phrase?

Words by themselves are meaningless—it is only when we attach meaning to the words that communication occurs. The principle behind this phrase can be found in the Bible, but the phrase can be heresy when different meanings are behind the words and the phrase. 

The author of that piece supported the position by quoting the following verse. “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away” (Matthew 24:35).  The blogger also said, “Trials and difficult circumstances are difficult to bear and one comfort that many have come to share with friends assailed by trouble is the saying: ‘This too shall pass.’ Though the possible origins of this saying are too many and varied to review in depth, one early reference comes from the Old English poem, Deor (c. AD 10th century).” 

Clearly the role of the Christian is to not sacrifice the permanent on the altar of the immediate.  The Christian is to always be conscious of his role on earth as Christ’s ambassador and His second coming for His church.

“Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as He is pure” (1 John 3:2-3).

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).

In summary, regardless of the situation in which a Christian finds himself, he can be confident that in the end all things will work out well. With regard to current difficult situations he can confidently rest in knowing that “this too shall pass.”

additional comment: Consider also that Jesus prayed for the situation to pass, “He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, ‘O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will’” (Matthew 26:39). 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW