We often see God weaving narratives that make sense only in light of the concluding pages. Through the words of God’s book and the history of God’s church, we see the importance of reading to the final chapter. And it is then, at the end, we see the work of God and exclaim, “Look what God has done!”

We cannot truly understand a story until we have read it to the end. Very often it is only in the final pages of a story that the author springs the big surprise, that he pulls together the loose strands, that he explains the meaning and purpose behind his interwoven narratives. If we give up too soon, if we draw our conclusions before the end, we will never understand the author’s intent or appreciate the author’s skill.

So too with God, the Author of the great story that is being told around us and even in and through us. Especially as it pertains to the story of our own lives, we are prone to draw too many conclusions from too limited a reading. But we should know better, for we often see God weaving narratives that make sense only in light of the concluding pages. Through the words of God’s book and the history of God’s church, we see the importance of reading to the final chapter. And it is then, at the end, we see the work of God and exclaim, “Look what God has done!”

In the pages of the Bible, we see Joseph sold and enslaved, accused and imprisoned, and think there is no hope for him. Surely his story has been told and has ended in disaster. But as we continue to read, we see him delivered from his bondage and raised to power over Egypt. We see him saving the lives of his people and preserving the line of Abraham. We read to the final chapter and can say only, “Look what God has done!”

We see Naomi bereaved and Ruth widowed, we see them return to the Promised Land in great sorrow and distress. We nod knowingly when Naomi says, “Call me ‘Bitter,’ for the Lord has dealt bitterly with me.” We might think her story has come to an end. But then we see noble Boaz enter the story and redeem Ruth, we see Ruth bear Obed, we learn “he was the father of Jesse, the father of David.” Amazed, we come to the end of the story and cry, “Look what God has done!”

We see God’s people in captivity and learn of a terrible conspiracy to eradicate them from the land. We watch as young Esther is forced to be the bride of a Persian king, a Jewish girl pushed into the bed of an uncircumcised pagan. All seems lost. But then we turn the page. Esther finds favor in the eyes of the king and, as queen, advocates for her people. Soon evil Haman is hanging from the gallows and the Jewish people are celebrating a great deliverance. As we come to the final page of the story we say, “Look what God has done!”

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