the fruit of our efforts. Life is not really very easy at the best of times. How much more, in the Christian life, do we see God’s promises coming to fulfilment after we have waited on the Lord and lived faithfully through challenging circumstances? The promise of blessing draws us on in persevering faith. 16:22. ‘Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you.’ We find it helpful when, say, we go to