ISAIAH 33:17 – Your eyes will behold the king in his beauty; they will see a land that stretches afar.”

THEME OF THE DAY:  WHAT A GLORIOUS DAY.  Before we go far into today’s nugget, a few spiritual check-up questions.  In the last twenty-four hours, how often has the thought come across our minds that we are one breath away from being in the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ? Okay.  What about the last forty-eight hours?  The past week?  Or maybe we cannot remember the last time we pondered either the appearing of the Lord Jesus in His coming or His calling of us to Himself?

As one reads the New Testament, we will not find a single author who doesn’t address or have a settled fixation on the coming of Christ or the believer going to be with Christ.  It is dominant.  And rightly so for a couple of reasons.

First, this world is not our home meaning we are to be fixed on our real home – heaven with the Lord Jesus.  The “Hall of Fame of Faith” chapter in the letter to the Hebrews illustrates this truth from believers who looked and lived fixed on their eternal dwelling place – These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city (Hebrews 11:13-16).

Another reason for thinking much on the coming of Christ or going to be with Him is because, by faith, we are already there.  I know. Hard concept to gather since we are physically bound to this world, but remember, we live by faith and the true realities in life are not seen and spiritual.  The Apostle Paul reminds us of the place where the believer’s life has already been placed, not literally, but spiritually – If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory (Colossians 3;1-4).

So, let’s go back to the opening paragraph, not more questions, but application.  Pause for a moment. Think of this staggering truth; we are one breath away from the reality of all realities – standing face-to-face before the King of Kings, the God who is love, and our Savior, the Lord Jesus.  Now, apply it to our lives. Such thinking gives us the proper perspective on life – it is short; the proper orientation in life – it is all about Him, and the proper conduct in life – it is all about preparing to meet Him. And oh, what a glorious day that will be!

PRAYER: “Father, I praise You for sending me a Savior that I shall behold someday in glory.”

QUOTE: “Ponder the day of all days – seeing Jesus face-to-face.  It gives perspective in this life.”

Because of Him,

Pastor Jim