Friday, January 8

Psalm 16:11
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.

This Psalm celebrates God’s desire to fill us with his joy – both now and someday in his eternal heaven. Begin your time with God focusing on his presence in your heart – and his promise of joy.


Philippians 3:12-14
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do, forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

After reading our “core text” one more time – focus on the last half of the last sentence. Paul writes, “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Most scholars believe Paul is looking ahead to the promise and joy of heaven. I think there are two primary thoughts in Paul’s mind: first, there is the promise of rest and joy in the presence of Jesus, his Lord. At this point in his life Paul is in prison and knows he is probably facing either continued imprisonment or even death at any moment. He is fully prepared for the end of his earthly life and the beginning of his eternal life!

But he also speaks of “winning the prize.” If salvation is based on faith in the grace of Christ alone – what prize is Paul talking about winning? Again, most scholars believe that he is talking about the rewards that Christ promises those who have served him faithfully in this life. Heaven is the reward for all who receive Christ as Savior and Lord – but the Bible does seem to point to special honor and responsibility that will be given to those who have served Christ with great faithfulness (see 2 Timothy 4:8; 1 Peter 5:4). Paul seems to be expressing his desire to remain steadfast and faithful in his calling – despite great hardship – by looking forward to the promise of Christ.

Most of us don’t think about heaven much until we face the death of a family member or friend – or until we face a life-threatening situation ourselves. But heaven is real – and an eternal life of joy and service to our King is to be that which both sustains us in difficult times and inspires us to faithfulness to Christ now!

Take some time to think about, and maybe write about, how the certainty and promise of heaven can shape and inspire your life now.

Ask the Lord to remind you often that even now your are being prepared for your eternal destiny in him!

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