“You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” (Psalm 16:11)
How important is heaven to you? I’ve got a good friend who is dying, and he knows it. He has always been a joyful guy, and he might be even more so today. He’s convinced of the reality of what we tend to call heaven – that God will fill him with joy and eternal pleasure in his presence forever.
I get why heaven is important to people who are forced by leaky life to deal with the reality of death. But I also know many believers who hold on to heaven like a consolation prize. They’re not all that excited about the experience; they’re still putting a big chunk of hope in fulfilling their dreams in this life.
It’s hard to blame ourselves for feeling that way; heaven is a tough place to imagine – and our desires for good things here are so powerful. Ultimately, though, we’re built to be with God. Nothing good he gives us in this life will even come close to matching the eternal pleasures and endless joy of heaven.
Good days here are fine gifts from our good God. But the good days there – with him – are the point of it all.
Think: How often do you think about heaven? Would you say that you’re looking forward to it? Do you expect that being with God will be the ultimate experience, the moment when everything missing will finally be complete?
Pray: Thank God for the hopeful certainty of heaven for all who are in Christ. Ask him to help your anticipation for being with him there to build.
Do: Read Colossians 3:1-4.