The Final Word
I've always been fascinated by book endings. Some conclude with a dramatic flourish, while others drift quietly to their final page. There's something powerful about those last few words that linger after the cover closes. While some readers savor the journey page by page, I find myself eagerly anticipating how the author will tie everything together. After all, conclusions matter. They leave a lasting impression long after the story ends.
Recently, while preparing for a Bible study, I stumbled upon something remarkable about God's conclusions. Amid judgment pronouncements and difficult prophetic warnings, God rarely leaves His people without hope. Even in the darkest passages, a glimmer of promise often appears at the end.
Take the book of Joel, for instance. After describing devastating locust plagues and calling for repentance, the Lord concludes with: "And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered" (Joel 2:32). Or consider Zephaniah. Three chapters of judgment culminate with God singing over His people: "The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy" (Zephaniah 3:17).
This pattern appears throughout Scripture. God may begin with correction, but He concludes with compassion. He initiates with judgment but finalizes with joy. His first word is rarely His final word.
What a beautiful reminder for those moments when we feel our story has gone terribly wrong. Perhaps you're living through what feels like a dreadful chapter: an illness that lingers, financial pressure that won't relent, or relationships fraying at the edges. The narrative of your life seems to be spiraling toward a disappointing conclusion.
Take heart, dear friend. God specializes in redemptive endings.
The crucifixion seemed like the tragic end of Jesus's story until Sunday morning arrived. Joseph's imprisonment appeared to be his conclusion until Pharaoh summoned him to the palace. Ruth's widowhood and poverty looked like her final chapter until Boaz appeared in the harvest field.
Our Lord is the Author who transforms tragedies into testimonies. He takes our broken narratives and crafts conclusions we could never imagine.
"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end" (Jeremiah 29:11).
Whatever difficult passage you're navigating, remember this isn't your conclusion. The God who writes your story specializes in unexpected plot twists and glorious finales. He holds the pen, and He hasn't written His final word over your life.
The next time despair whispers that your story is over, remember Who writes your closing chapters. With the Lord, what appears to be the end is often just the beginning of His most beautiful work.