A Foretaste

I remember reading somewhere about how life's trials prepare us for something much greater.  It is through these times of adversity we make a choice to either live in fear or trust in God.  As I look back over my life, I'm reminded of those seasons of fear.  Now as I stand on the other side of those trials, I'm more certain of God's promises than I was in the midst of them.  It is through this painful yet profitable process, we begin to recognize His faithfulness...and thus our trust is strengthened.  Each trial should bring us closer to God and prepare us for the ultimate test of trust.  The test I'm referencing is the fact that one day we will all leave this world.  This for some can be the most fearful test of all, but praise God as we embark on life's journey our increasing trust in Him can empower us to handle this final test.  As a result, on that inevitable day, if we have been faithful to place our trust in Him, we have more assurance we can believe His promises.  Colossians 3:1-4 "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory."  John 14:1-4 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”  Romans 8:16-17  "The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory."  2 Corinthians 5:6-8 "Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. For we live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord."  John 11:23-26 "Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha answered,“I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”  1 Corinthians 15:54-57 "When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” “Where, O death, is your victory?  Where, O death, is your sting?”  The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.  But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."  Philippians 3:20-21 "But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body."  John 10: 27-29 "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.  My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand."  Romans 8:38-39 "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."  Psalm 116:15 "Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints."

In addition to the peace we find in trusting God with our lives and our death, there is a another gift that awaits us.  Last night, we were with friends and discussing God's blessings.  One of my dearest friends said, "our biggest blessing is yet to come - Heaven and eternity with Christ".  In life, my heart gets so caught up in the sweet hand of God here on earth, sometimes I lose sight of the blessing that awaits me when I die...being with Jesus in eternity.  Perhaps because it is so hard to comprehend why Jesus gave His life for me.  Because of His sacrifice, I get to spend eternity in heaven in His presence.  It's easier for me to sense the "realness" of the love of God in my day to day.  He is so faithful .  He speaks into my heart when I read and study His word.  When I pray, He brings tears to my eyes with an overwhelming gratitude as I acknowledge all He has done for me.  These moments when I sense He is near me, must be a beautiful intro to what is to come.  In the words of Paul, "to die is gain". Philippians 1:21.  As the beautiful song, "Blessed Assurance" reminds us, "Oh what a foretaste of glory divine".  Revelations 21:4  "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”  Revelations 22:1-5 "Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb  down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever."  Philippians 3:21-21 "But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body."