Heaven is sounding really, really good today. Since the beginning of our present circumstances I have worked diligently to maintain a positive spirit. After all, God has been faithful to Sharon and me for many years and He owes me nothing. I am in His debt and not the other way around. So for the past 13 months I have tried, thou often imperfectly, to maintain a Philippians 4:8 attitude.
But today has been a discouraging day. For one reason, the Supreme Court has made a decision that is poised to impact the country I love and our worldview for years to come. Their decision to not take a stand regarding same-sex marriage will have a negative effect in every state, and will have an influence on my children and grand-children. These types of governmental rulings usually don't get to me. They are what is to be expected when a society rejects God. But this one really bothered me. It is a sad day for our nation. However, inside heaven's gates, our battle against the world, the flesh and the devil is already won.
Another discouraging and sad event took place today. Ministry friends of ours and former students at BBC suffered a tremendous loss today when their premature little baby passed from this life into the arms of Christ. To see this young couple, so fresh in their faith and new in their ministry, experience this kind of painful loss makes me sad for them. Yes. . .I know it will ultimately work for their good and God's glory. . .but today it makes me sad to see them hurt. Heaven is sweeter today because Eden Ellis is in His presence.
Then, of course, the wait continues. Several search committees have expressed interest in our ministry, but none are clamoring for us to call U-Haul yet! Patience? Yes, I'm working at it. Feeling sorry for myself? I hope not. I'm just a little sad today that this trial has lasted so long. I'm sad that I can't provide a decent place to live and needed items for my bride when she needs them.
So. . .what do you do when you don't know what to do? You wait; you refrain from making major decisions, and you hope! "They that wait (hope) upon the Lord shall renew (exchange) their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." (Isaiah 40:31)
Even though somewhat discouraged today, my faith is still intact. I am confident that "our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;" (2 Corinthians 4:17). Its the eternal that excites me. Its heaven that I anticipate today.
Over 40 years ago, a pastor that I worked for, Rev. Bernie Rogers, gave me a devotional book entitled, "Awake My Heart" by J. Sidlow Baxter. I'm sure he has forgotten it and has no idea of the investment he made in my life and ministry. Often over the years, and just about every day this past year, I have gone back to this devotional during times of trial. Yesterday, under the heading, "The hope which is laid up for you in heaven" (Colossians 1:5), Baxter wrote: (I hope this encourages you today also!)
"So then, our hope is there. Far beyond the clouds, and beyond the stars, it is there - the heavenly glory-land, the Father's house. It will be a place of utter sinlessness. It will be a place of perfect rest. It will be a place of consummated victory. It will be a place of perfect joy."
Baxter continues, "We shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more. The Lord himself shall lead us to the 'fountain of living waters.' Our sun of joy shall never set. The roses will never fade. No withering blight nor wintery blast shall ever disfigure that fair paradise. Sickness shall not invade. Death shall never divide. There we shall have superior powers and faculties; amplified opportunities and facilities; enlarged capacities and capabilities, for service, for fellowship, and for the vision of the heavenly throne. There we shall be re-united with our Christian loved ones - a meeting without parting! There we shall see them all again, beautified into perfect replicas of Christ, yet retaining those distinctive traits of character and personality which made them particularly dear to us hear on earth. There they and we shall mingle among the sinless immortals, and all the highest we ever longed to be, we shall be."
His words paint a picture of Jesus' promise, "I go to prepare a place for you. . ." After the stress and disappointment of the past year, and the events that brought sadness today, it was good to be reminded about heaven, and to pray, "Even so, come Lord Jesus!" Maybe today!!!
Rob
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