Encouragement for Today

January 3, 2024 God Has Heaven Waiting for You KAREN WINGATE Lee en español

“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” John 14:3 (NIV)

For two years, I’d held my breath every time I turned the dials of my derelict, mismatched washer and dryer, praying they would work one more time. So when I heard about a used pair of machines, a model I’d long admired, for an incredible price, I pounced on the deal.

But I soon discovered the dryer had a cracked drum. I ordered the part, but it was on back order … Was I willing to wait?

Yes! I happily spent a month spreading wet clothes around my house, relishing thoughts of finally having that beautiful, matching, reliable laundry set. In my mind, waiting was worth the inconvenience because something much better was coming.

When I think of patience, I often think of this small example from my own life — and in Scripture, I marvel at the tenacity of God’s faithful people mentioned in Hebrews 11. After describing several examples of faithful lives, the author makes this statement in Hebrews 11:13: “All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth” (NIV).

Old Testament heroes like Abraham, Moses and David were longing for the coming of Jesus, the Messiah. They were willing to stay obediently faithful to God because they knew something better was coming, even if they didn’t get to see it in their lifetimes.

Jesus makes the same promise to us about His second coming. In John 14:3, Jesus says, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”

Won’t that be wonderful? If we trust in Jesus today, we’ll be with Him forever. All the tough stuff of this earthly life will be gone. No more pain, tears or evil like we’ve endured in this earthly life. The joys of heaven will be far more satisfying than a refurbished dryer! God’s dependability to keep His promises has a far better rating than the supply chain of a dryer drum.

No matter what current challenges you face, no matter how hard the struggle, look ahead. Our faith in Jesus grows stronger day by day as we continue to follow Him despite the struggles we face. Just like those men and women mentioned in Hebrews 11, you and I can brave the inconveniences, heartaches, obstacles and struggles because we have the assurance that whatever is happening in this life won’t last forever. Something better is coming.

Sometimes it's hard to envision eternity … but I can wait. And so can you. Because it’s going to be fantastic.

God, thank You for the hope of heaven. It gives me courage to keep obeying You even when life gets tough. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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FOR DEEPER STUDY

1 Corinthians 2:9, “… ‘What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived’—the things God has prepared for those who love him …” (NIV).

While we can’t fully grasp all the wonders of heaven that God has waiting for us, we know enough that we can begin to dream about and anticipate the glories of what it will be like. What do you most look forward to about heaven?

How does knowing that heaven exists and is waiting for you help you face the challenges you encounter today? Share with us in the comments!

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