The Grace ~ Worship Song Devotional With KDMusicÀpẹrẹ

Day 5: - Be with You Evermore

Yesterday we explored how we have been chased down by heaven in a sense. My feeble (and very fearful) step of faith is more an act of surrender than a statement of commitment. It is God who saves. It is God who makes us His child, who chooses us.

Let’s think about that ‘evermore’ bit! As a Christian, you and I are called to have a different perspective on life than the world around us. I have lived through several cycles of ‘secular fear.’ As a kid, I remember public information films about how to ‘Protect and survive’ nuclear war with the Soviet Union. I’m still not sure how the advice to hide under the stairs would have helped!

Currently, secular society is fearful and pessimistic about global warming, our impact on rainforests and the deep oceans. These fears are real. But they are not the only story out there. God’s word promises us that He will make everything new. All creation is groaning in anticipation, waiting to be liberated from decay. The bible isn’t blindly optimistic; it’s very, very realistic. It clearly states some people will not be in heaven because they choose to ignore or reject Jesus.

On the other hand, biblical realism isn’t in a pessimistic panic like parts of secular society. No, in God’s word, we see the end is certain, and the outcome is unbelievably positive. Christ will return and renew the whole of creation.

This life is really short. It goes very quickly. So it’s not too clever to invest all our energy in it! Does that mean we shouldn’t care for the world around us? Absolutely not! It means if we care with ‘evermore’ on our minds, we’ll have a more balanced and healthy perspective about it. A famous Christian from my hometown of Belfast, CS Lewis, once said, “Aim at Heaven, and you will get Earth’ thrown in ‘: aim at Earth and you will get neither.” (The Joyful Christian). You’ll find this repeatedly in the bible. So much of the new testament quickly lifts our eyes from what God is doing right here, right now in Christians - and shifts the focus to the eternal, the ‘Ever more.’

‘Ever more’ makes us look up and out, beyond our day-to-day concerns, our ill health, our security issues, to see them for what they are. We will look back on real, but temporary interruptions from eternity without fear or concern. We’re told that when God’s dwelling place is with us in the new creation, there will be no more sorrow or crying or death or pain, and He will wipe away all our tears.

Just stop and think about that for a moment. Jesus will wipe away your tears and mine. Will you be kneeling when he wipes away those tears? Standing looking Him in the eye? I don’t know exactly, but that’s the sort of thing that only a very, very close friend gets to do. This God in whom we are immersed is not aloof. Because of His great love, He is very personally invested in us individually. He also cares for us as a community ~ His bride, His body, the Church. (frankly, all these word pictures can only give hints of the complete reality).

In the ‘Evermore’, we will look back at today’s disappointments and heartbreaks and thank God. Not for the pain itself, but for how He expertly adapts our negative experiences to bring us closer to Him ~ how could it be otherwise? The outcome is secure! Today as you step out into an uncertain, conflicted world, don’t be afraid. Don’t be anxious; walk in the certainty He is with you and that you can cast all your cares on Him.

‘The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, & the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you - evermore’ 2 Cor 13:14 (NIV)

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we long for the day you will return, to claim this world and make it new. We can’t wait! Come, Lord Jesus! But until that day, Father, fix our eyes on Him. Please give me the endurance to run the race. Holy Spirit, when I fall, please pick me up; I want to keep going for you. Thank you that heaven is cheering us on! Thank you that no matter how tough life is right now, you have promised a crown in glory for those who endure. I believe it because Jesus rose from the grave. Thank you for the inheritance of being your child and that you have already seated us in glory with Christ. Please help me to aim for heaven, Amen!

The Grace ~ Benediction

‘The Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,

and the Love of God

and the fellowship of the Spirit

be with you ~ evermore.’