It's the time of year when we all get asked, "What are you thankful for?" Well, I have some answers--they apply to you, too.
Here in the US, we've been through a difficult election cycle. Old is being swept away, new has arrived.
However, I'm grateful that in the long run, it really doesn't matter. I know how things finally turn out. It may matter in the short run who you voted for, but in the long run, it does not.
So many passages state this that it's almost impossible to catalogue them all, but here are a few:
"The things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are unseen are eternal." "Forever" isn't far. It's just invisible. Because we don't see it, because it's not "in our face," we tend to discount it, but forever is just that. FORR-EVERR. It never ends. This is the message of the New Testament. It's loud. It's clear. It's unavoidable--we can be thankful for eternity, because we will inhabit eternity with the Father, Son, Holy Spirit, and all our brothers and sisters. It will last forever, and it will be great!
Revelation 21:2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, 4 and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away." 5 And He who sits on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." And He *said, "Write, for these words are faithful and true." 6 Then He said to me, "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost.
Hebrews 11:13: All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 14 For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own.
15 And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 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 a city for them.
Here in the US, we've been through a difficult election cycle. Old is being swept away, new has arrived.
However, I'm grateful that in the long run, it really doesn't matter. I know how things finally turn out. It may matter in the short run who you voted for, but in the long run, it does not.
So many passages state this that it's almost impossible to catalogue them all, but here are a few:
"The things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are unseen are eternal." "Forever" isn't far. It's just invisible. Because we don't see it, because it's not "in our face," we tend to discount it, but forever is just that. FORR-EVERR. It never ends. This is the message of the New Testament. It's loud. It's clear. It's unavoidable--we can be thankful for eternity, because we will inhabit eternity with the Father, Son, Holy Spirit, and all our brothers and sisters. It will last forever, and it will be great!
This is how it ends, if you are Christian. Nothing left of the old. Everything New. Everything. Forever.
David said (Psalm 23): I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever... what began with "The LORD is my Shepherd" ends with Forever.
God has prepared a city, a place for you. Jesus spoke of it when He said, "In My Father's house there are many dwelling places; I go to prepare a place for YOU."
The writer of Hebrews spoke of it when he said,
15 And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 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 a city for them.
So I am grateful to God that it's never over. NEVER. My life. Your life. Joy forever, No pain. No tears. No sorrow.
Yours. Mine. Forever.
Here's a wonderful old song that encapsulates what I'm saying:
Here's a wonderful old song that encapsulates what I'm saying:
"He the pearly gates will open..."
1 Love divine, so great and wondrous,
Deep and mighty, pure, sublime,
Coming from the heart of Jesus.
Just the same through tests of time!
Chorus:
He the pearly gates will open,
So that I may enter in;
For He purchased my redemption
And forgave me all my sin.
2 Like a dove when hunted, frightened.
As a wounded fawn was I;
Brokenhearted, yet He healed me.
He will heed the sinner's cry.
3 Love divine, so great and wondrous,
All my sins He then forgave;
I will sing His praise forever,
For His blood, His power to save. [Chorus]
4 In life's eventide at twilight,
At His door I'll knock and wait;
By the precious love of Jesus,
I shall enter heaven's gate.
1 Love divine, so great and wondrous,
Deep and mighty, pure, sublime,
Coming from the heart of Jesus.
Just the same through tests of time!
Chorus:
He the pearly gates will open,
So that I may enter in;
For He purchased my redemption
And forgave me all my sin.
2 Like a dove when hunted, frightened.
As a wounded fawn was I;
Brokenhearted, yet He healed me.
He will heed the sinner's cry.
3 Love divine, so great and wondrous,
All my sins He then forgave;
I will sing His praise forever,
For His blood, His power to save. [Chorus]
4 In life's eventide at twilight,
At His door I'll knock and wait;
By the precious love of Jesus,
I shall enter heaven's gate.
