” Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth“.- Col. 3:2
It is often the case that amid the normal activities of life and the distraction all around us, that we fail to think about the most glorious things provided by our dear Savior. For whatever reason we often spend no time thinking about heaven until we or a loved one is at the point of death. While we certainly should be thinking of heaven at a time like that, it would do us good to think much about it all the time. As Spurgeon said, ” Whether it is for hope, for joy, for consolation, or for the inspiring of our love– the future must, after all, be the grand object of the eye of faith”. He was right. In that regards we have Abraham for an example–“For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God”. ( Heb. 11:10). We also have these words from the pen of Paul, ” Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth“. ( Col. 3:2). If our affection is there so will our attention be. We ought to do more than sing “I can only imagine”, we should actually remind ourselves that we are pilgrims – this world is not our home. Knowing our home is in heaven we can sing “It will be worth it all”.
This is not just a matter of spiritual entertainment. It can be a matter of survival. To get past the past and through the present it helps to ponder our prospects as a joint- heir with Christ. As we do that we can say with Paul, “to die is gain” ( Phil. 1:21). We can better bear our burdens if we count our blessings. To endure the grief of the grave it helps to think of the glory that awaits. Seeing the big picture gives us courage and comfort. And it is no vain promise that we cling to for this hope, but rather the promises of God who cannot lie. Feelings often betray us. They shout “You have lost all!”, but faith whispers in our ear, ” The best is yet to come”. Indeed it is! As the Psalmist said, “…in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning” ( Psa. 30:5). It’s just a matter of time. – HDS
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346
