There are two important concepts we wish to convey in this brief essay. The first concept is that we are to be taking full advantage of the time of blessing that now is upon us, because we and those to whom we are ministering will need all of our stored spiritual strength in order to survive throughout the "seven years of famine"—the period of spiritual oppression and gross darkness that will come to the earth before too long.

The second concept is that not only will the Lord Jesus keep the saints under His wings of protection through to the end of the present age, but in addition great spiritual good will be wrought in and through the saints until and including the very midnight hour.

All things will continue to work for good to those who love God, to those who have been called according to His eternal purpose in Christ.

Glory, opportunities, and responsibilities are ahead for the willing and obedient believer. Man's distress always is an opportunity for God to help. Wherever sin abounds grace superabounds. The darker the night the brighter God's stars shine.

For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. (Isaiah 60:2)

The promises of Scripture never will be suspended for the saint—not now, not during the coming desolation, not when the universe melts "with fervent heat," not ever!

A morning of blessing is here now, and the night of spiritual darkness is appearing on the horizon. God is creating deliverers (Nehemiah 9:27; Obadiah 21)—strong saints who will be able to stand and assist many throughout the coming night, a night during which we will not be able to go forth into the Gospel work as we do now.

Do you want to be one of the Lord's deliverers during the great hour of opportunity, the hour of spiritual famine? Then store up the corn of the Word of God now.

We are to take full advantage of the blessings from Heaven that are falling today so we will be able to stand as Christian people until our Lord returns. Also, we are to rejoice because the coming spiritual and material pressures will provide many opportunities for service (as was true of Joseph) for those who have allowed God to prepare them to stand in the evil day (Ephesians 6:13).

And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call. (Joel 2:32)

Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them [in whose heart are the paths to God]. Who passing through the valley of Baca [of weeping] make it a well [a fountain of waters of life]; the rain also filleth the pools [speaking of the blessings of the Spirit of God that the strong saints bring to the places of weeping and distress]. They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God. (Psalms 84:5-7)

Are you allowing God to make you strong in the Lord so you can bless and strengthen the weak and oppressed now and in the day of trouble?

To be continued.