The Greatest Expectation!

    “It will be worth it all when we see Jesus.  Life’s trials will seem so small when we see Christ.  One glimpse of His dear face, all sorrows will erase; so bravely run the race til we see Christ.”  The lyrics of this classic Christian song can be daily recited and never get old.  Scriptures related to this theme are also found in Romans 8:18, Titus 2:13, and Hebrews 6:19; they confirm its exhortation to press on one day at a time in Christ-focused hope! It always instantly transforms my focus from my immediate environment or circumstances to the hope I have in Christ.  The blessed hope that believers have in Christ is nothing to scoff at, as is the practice of many who, in their condition of spiritual blindness, dismiss such hope as “pie in the sky, by and by!”

    Today’s verse is not a “so-what?” declaration to be marginalized by the true child of God.  After all, we who are twice-born are called to live in great anticipation of receiving that “crown of righteousness,” which all who have loved the Savior’s appearing will receive.  (2 Timothy 4:8) Those who endure great temptations from trials and great tribulation, while persevering in their Christian faith, are promised the “crown of life,” says James 1:12.

     The Apostle Paul and saints throughout the ages have modeled looking beyond satanic opposition and their “momentary” trials to the unsurpassed joy of being in Christ’s presence, face to face. (Revelation 22:4)  For saints who’ve been blessed in their Christian walk through the ministry of faithful preachers and teachers of the gospel, such souls will be for these preachers and teachers  a “crown of rejoicing,” as Paul declares in 1 Thessalonians 2:19.  In light of all these truths about expected rewards and crowns—the latter of which we will GLADLY cast at our Savior’s feet-- brothers and sisters-- for what reason should we ever deny the significance of pursuing what the Lord our God offers us now, in terms of spiritual joy and peace, and at the end of a life lived in His service, out of a heart of love for Him, and for His glory?

PRAYER:  Dear Abba, not even Your beloved Son Jesus denied looking ahead “for the joy that was set before Him.”  Like the faithful saints who’ve preceded us, give us a heavenward perspective to view our trials as “light and momentary affliction,” never forgetting, as we press through them, that they are achieving for us “a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.”  Thank You, Father, in Jesus’ name; Amen!
Written by Sis Denise Diggs