Our Eternal Home

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Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:13-14 (ESV)

13 Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak, 14 knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence.

Devotion:

            This scripture contains a wonderful promise for those who believe in Jesus. Paul first quotes Psalm 116:10 which he restates from a believers point of view. This gives everyone who believes a basis for speaking that which they have heard about the Lord. Because we can be certain of the resurrection, we have boldness to declare that the dead will be raised to new life with Christ.

            Talking about Jesus, his life, death, and resurrection with those who do not yet believe in him should be second nature for those of us who are called Christians. What we have heard and read about Jesus should encourage us to share the wonderful, good news about our savior. We have nothing to fear from sharing what we believe about Jesus. Our hearers will be blessed by what they hear as long as we speak to them with gentleness and respect.

            The words of verse 14 are written to lift our sagging spirits. Accepting the truth of this verse can be life changing. It confirms for us what we believe about the resurrection of Jesus. We can be assured that we will be raised as Jesus was raised. We can also know that our ultimate destination is to be in heaven with him for all of eternity. Worldly problems will cease to exist for us as we spend forever in the presence of Jesus. By his grace, we, by faith will be welcomed into a new reality where God is visibly and audibly present with us forever. No more will there be any reason to doubt God’s presence with us every moment for the rest of eternity.

            Our present life may seem dull and dreary however, God has a greater plan for us. We will be with him that is an undeniable fact. The death of our bodies is not the end of our existence, praise God! We who believe in Jesus are ready for that transformation into our immortal, indestructible bodies. As Paul says elsewhere

“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,

nor the human heart conceived,

what God has prepared for those who love him”

 

                Let us praise God now for his good gifts to us.

 

Prayer:

           

            Glory to you Lord! We thank you for your goodness to us. We are a poor and needy people. We would be lost and without your provision for us. We know that you love us by the promises contained in your word. Teach us to rejoice in the great salvation you have prepared for us. Strengthen our faith, Lord. Help us to worship you in Spirit and in truth. Amen.

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