Today's Word of Blessing

THE HOPE OF HEAVEN

Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.    (Hebrews 12:1)

  Dearly beloved, Lord Jesus tells us, “Rejoice that your names are written in heaven" (Luke 10:20). Yes! How much are we to rejoice because our names are written in heaven.

A soldier, on his death bed, was murmuring something. His colleagues who noticed his unusual behavior asked him in surprise: “Why do you keep saying, ‘I am here! I am here?’” He responded: “Lo! I see the doors of heaven open. My name is called there. I am answering the roll that is called there.” And soon he died.

Lord Jesus said: "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit…” (John 15: 1 and 2).

We read the same thing in Romans 11:22. On many occasions, we were about to backslide. When the call of God came, we were indifferent and caused pain to Him. There were times when we grieved our parents. However, the Lord was gracious unto us. Whenever temptations and problems came, the Holy Spirit poured the love of God on us (Romans 5:5). That is why we are still united with Him as branches of the vine. Our Father has not cut us off. Our names are not blotted out in heaven. He does love us all the time.

Arnold Alson was the President of the Evangelical Church in USA. Once when he went to a town to preach, he stayed in a room. Another elderly pastor also stayed along with him. He was a saint. One day while he was shaving, he told Alson: “Alson! If I do not recognize you in heaven, please do not get angry with me.” Greatly shocked by those words, Alson inquired: “Why do you say like that?” The pastor answered: “When I go to heaven, I will be constantly watching the face of Lord Jesus even for 1000 years. I won’t have time to see you.” See his love for God!

Yes, our names are written in heaven. The hope that one day we will go to heaven and be with God, makes us rejoice exceedingly. The Scripture exhorts, “Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (Hebrews 12:1). According to the afore-mentioned Bible verse, let us abide in Lord Jesus Christ and live righteous lives in order to receive the eternal crown.

Prayer:

Loving Lord Jesus,

You are full of grace and mercy. I thank You for the gift of salvation which You have given me through your grace. I will rejoice in my salvation for I now belong to You. Enable me to live righteously according to your Word. Give me the grace to continue in faith and abide in You. Enable me to rejoice in the hope that my name is written in heaven.

In Your matchless name I pray.

Amen.