November 18 I Thursday

Ezekiel 8-10

Hebrews 13

“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”  —John 10:10

There is no doubt that we are living in a turbulent world both on a global scale and on the domestic front. But there is another place that Jesus talked about. On the night of His arrest, He said to His disciples, “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” (John 14:2-3). As Christians, there is another place we are going to—heaven. 

      Solomon makes a profound statement when he says that God has placed eternity into our hearts (Ecclesiastes 3:11). This is an inherent longing within us that wants to go on living forever, and this is God’s will and intent for us. Solomon acknowledges a universal truth that counteracts the one of dying. Inside all of us is a need to connect with something greater outside of ourselves that transcends our mortality. Proverbs 12:28 tells us, “In the way of righteousness there is life; along that path is immortality.” Jesus Christ is our righteousness and in Him we have a permanent home in heaven. That is not only something to look forward to, but to get excited about.

      Perhaps we should take a minute to think about heaven. John tells us, “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Look! God’s dwelling-place is now among the people, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. 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’” (Revelation 21:3-4).

      We do not have to wait until we get to heaven to enjoy peace and contentment. We can draw on the indwelling life of Christ now, as we depend on, obey and trust Him. It is bringing Him into every aspect of our lives, listening for His voice and waiting upon His direction. The deeper our communion with Christ is, the deeper our experience of Him will be.

      The presence of Jesus Christ is in every Christian, and so often we need a wake-up call. If we leave Him on the sidelines, we live our own way. Jesus came so that we may have life to the full and that is received when He is at the core of our lives, and we live every day in union with Him.

Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, thank You that I do not have to wait until I get to heaven to enjoy peace and contentment. Fullness of life is found in You. Help me to live every day in union with You. Thank You, Lord.