Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – October 25, 2016
Your steadfast love, O LORD, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds. (Psalm 36:5)
I once considered going to see the film The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. But then I learned Aslan, the great lion and main character, is killed in the movie. “Nope,” I thought, “couldn’t stand watching that. Would hurt my heart.” I later learned Aslan comes back to life, so I decided I could handle watching since I knew the story ended well.
Keeping one’s hope fixed on the promise of heaven is like watching a movie with a mess in the middle. With our gaze turned toward eternity, we can endure life’s messy difficulties because we know Christ will return, we will go home to heaven, and our story will end very, very well.
“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 21:4).
Maybe like me, you have often heard about the heroes in Hebrews 11 whose faith led to great acts and rewards while living. For instance, they shut the mouths of lions, escaped the edge of the sword, and became powerful in battle. But maybe like me, you haven’t heard much about another group mentioned at the very end of the chapter. This group endured messes in the middle of their lives because they steadfastly held on to an eternal perspective (Hebrews 11:16). These folks faced jeers and flogging, were imprisoned, were sawed in two, and were put to death. They were destitute, homeless, and hungry. But they endured because they knew this world was not their home. They also knew their story would end very well.
When I consider the trials of these saints, I have to admit that my faith seems small. I am often more concerned about my own comfort than I am about persevering through a trial. But sometimes keeping my eyes on eternity has helped me hold on to hope in the middle of my own messy story. It has enabled me to endure relational heartbreak, physical fatigue, financial difficulties, and the day-in, day-out challenges of life. I am happy to say that as I get closer to going home, it’s becoming easier to keep my gaze turned upward.
How about you? Are you keeping your gaze fixed on eternity so you have greater courage for your own messy middle?
“Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation” (Isaiah 12:2).
Prayer
Lord, how marvelous that your grace enables me to make it through whatever challenges you have allowed into my life. You have equipped me, of that I am certain. Help me to rest in this truth. Amen.Application
Is there something you need to take to the Lord today and surrender it to Him, believing that He will carry you through this hard time?Related Reading
Isaiah 25:8; 1 Corinthians 15:57Post/Tweet today
Keeping our eyes on eternity helps us hold on to hope in the middle of our own messy story. #WisdomHunters #AnEternalPerspectiveWorship Resource
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