“They were longing for a better country – a heavenly one.” Hebrews 11:16 NIV
“Heaven is just as real as the world that you now know and enjoy.”
My thoughts today are “thoughts of Heaven.”
There is so much that is wonderful about this life – good times, good food, good friends, and more. Yet, it is far from perfect, but wonderful nevertheless. And we do our best to hold onto life as long as we can, longing to extend its years and savor its joys. But God has much more than that for you. That longing deep in one’s heart is not just for more of the same.
There is a sense in the human spirit that you were made for far more than this. The world’s diverse religions have this in common, they believe in some form of life after death. The Egyptians built the pyramids out of their belief in an after-life. Solomon declared it this simply; “God has set eternity in the hearts of men.” Ecclesiastes 3:11 NIV. You were created with an inner, insatiable desire for endless life – for eternal life – for Heaven!
Heaven is just as real as the world that you now know and enjoy, but so much more than you could ever imagine it to be. The Bible begins with the affirmation, “In the beginning God created the Heaven and the earth.” Genesis 1:1. It would not seem authentic to believe one without also believing the other. Heaven is what makes death bearable, and Jesus’ sacrificial death essential.
For those for whom life has not seemed kind, God promises a place waiting for the Christ-follower that is so much better. “And God shall wipe away every tear from their eyes, there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. Then He who sat on the throne said, ‘Behold I make all things new.'” Revelation 21:4-5 NKJV.
The Apostle Paul reasoned, “For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever.” 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 NLT. He further explained that trust in these words, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Romans 8:18 NKJV.
And for those for whom life is good right now, “you ain’t seen nothing yet! – that’s terrible grammar, but accurate truth. Paul described what God has for you in these words, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him, but God has revealed it to us by His Spirit.” 1 Corinthians 2:9-10 NIV.
Someone has said that everybody that’s talking about Heaven isn’t necessarily going there. You have to do more than believe in Heaven or talk about Heaven to go there; you have to allow Jesus to prepare you to be there. The good news is that, when you invite and keep Christ in your heart as Savior, Heaven is where you go when you die, or when He returns. See 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 NLT. The more final farewells I have said to family and friends the more dear Heaven becomes to me.
Jesus told His worried disciples, “If I go to prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am.” John 14:1-4 NIV. A personal faith in Jesus Christ prepares you for the place He has prepared for you. Heaven will fit you perfectly. It will feel like home more than any place you have ever known. I cannot imagine Heaven without you there.
My prayer for you today is to recognize your longing for life is all about Heaven.