Psalm 23:6b “and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”
[This powerful statement of certainty turns my gaze ahead, beyond the end point of our journey here on earth, to being with you forever, Lord Jesus, in a sinless, unending, glory-giving relationship.
We will live in your Light, revel in your Love and embrace your eternal Life, unfettered by any darkness, brokenness, negativeness or failure. We will live with you face to face!
There will be joy without sorrow, happiness without regret, celebration without interruption and relationship without pain. We will be able to live in perfect patience, selfless service and a surplus of self-control. There will be surpassing beauty, unending joy and incomprehensible glory.
Praise you, Lord Jesus, for this unspeakably marvelous future you have prepared for us through your terrible suffering, your becoming sin for us, your taking on yourself the punishment that our rebellion deserved.
When I look into this future, and see this certain coming reality revealed in these powerful promises, the pressures and problems of this world fade into the background. I still have to deal with them, but their importance shrinks, their significance lessens, their power to hold me drops away.
What is happening in the world politically, economically and socially shifts from being a source of fear and frustration to being a window into your wisdom, into your power and grace.
You use the evil of men and devils to strip away the illusion of self-sufficiency and bring all who are willing into your Kingdom of light.
You, Lord God, are Sovereign, Almighty and All Knowing–nothing escapes your attention as you inexorably move ahead with your mighty and marvelous plan of redemption, transformation and re-creation.
As we look back, we can see your love, mercy and goodness following us. As we look forward, we can see greatness, joy and glory awaiting us. You have done it all, prepared it all and will bring it all to pass. Therefore, you deserve all obedience and submission, all praise, honor, glory and love.
And I praise you, Triune God–Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus, and Holy Spirit–for your great work in bringing this all to pass. You are the only One worthy of eternal honor, exaltation and worship, and I begin giving you those right now!]