SS Thoughts #9: 20/20 Vision?

In the days of the Napoleonic wars, before radio or telegraph had been invented, messages had to be sent by semaphore signals.  From a long distance the flags could be seen as they slowly spelled out words letter by letter (as shown below):

Napoleon had conquered parts of Europe, and now he was at Waterloo, about to invade England; where Admiral Wellington and his English army were putting up a brave fight. People anxiously watched for news of the battle. Slowly the flags began to spell the words: WELLINGTON...DEFEATED…Suddenly a dense fog covered the flags.  In despair the people fled the city. Roadblocks were erected and houses hastily fortified as London resigned itself to destruction from the forces of Napoleon.

Then the storm passed and the fog began to lift. The flags began to move once more and the message was slowly completed: WELLINGTON...DEFEATED...NAPOLEON...AT...WATERLOO. The joy of the people knew no bounds as the full impact of the news struck home.

Living in a world that is often filled with tears and sorrow, we do not always see the whole picture. When the fog of unbelief is lifted and the veil is completely taken away, we will recognize that there was no defeat at all. It had been victory from the very beginning - but we just did not get the whole message.

In the meantime, what should we do?  The answer is simply to trust the promise of the One who has never failed us yet. 

For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: 

now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
 (1 Cor. 13:12)