Eternity is not far…

A busy mother of four often said, “Oh for the peace of the grave!” I like being busy, but that line crossed my mind this morning. I’ve papers to write and long articles to read for the course I’m taking, all due the end of this week. Also on the calendar are a baby shower, a funeral, a meeting, a doctor’s appointment, and finishing a book for book club, never mind the ordinary chores of daily life. I try to tell myself this is nothing compared to the schedule of the American president, but I don’t have his staff!

That mother was not serious in sighing, “Of for the peace of the grave,” nor am I, but it makes a nice lead into the devotional today. The topic is the nearness of heaven and I’m thinking how life can change from here to there, even in the blink of an eye.

Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents. (Luke 15:10)

Spurgeon, who wrote the devotional, is often prompted by verses that only suggest his topic. He starts with the idea of joyful angels, skips the part about repentance, and lands on the topic of those on earth not being as far from heaven as it might seem. He begins by saying Jesus Christ is nearer than anyone else we know.

I know that is true. Sometimes the sense of Jesus’ presence is all that keeps me going. Then Spurgeon jumps from that to say that heaven and earth are also close together, even like “two ships moored close to one another.” With a vivid word picture, he adds that only “one short plank of death” will enable me to step from one to the other.

I think immediately of two accidents in yesterday’s news. In one, five members of one family died instantly when their car was hit by another that sped through a red light. That short plank took them in a moment from this life to the next. In the other accident, the daughter of a friend is in hospital with life-threatening injuries after her car hit a light pole. One short plank indeed. Life can change so quickly.

My ship on earth continuously moves closer to mooring alongside that heavenly vessel. I’ve finished the business of yesterday, even though I feel intimidated at the log for today. I’ve had a full cargo and now an emptying. I’ve known battles, victories and sorrows. But that other ship, as Spurgeon describes, is “all golden, with its ensign flying and its sails all spread, fair as the angel’s wing.” It remains always beside me, always ready, so when the time comes, I can leap from this dark one to the deck of that happy one, a golden deck on which I will sail forever.

Two additional thoughts catch my attention. One is that all who have gone before me form a “cloud of witnesses” as I sail. While live my life here, they look down and observe. These are described in Hebrews 11 then Hebrews 12:1-2 says, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus…” Are they cheering? I hope so.

The other thought is of the angels. They rejoice when I repent, meaning they are also keeping an eye on me which is a great comfort. What else do these angels do? The Bible says they are mighty and quick to obey God’s commandments according to His Word — and they are my servants, sent to help me…

Are they (the angels) not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation? (Hebrews 1:14)

The bridge between the two ships is a dread for most, yet as the days go by, it helps me to remember that no one who has been redeemed through faith in Jesus Christ is very far from heaven. It could be hours or days or months before I step across that plank, but knowing it is such a quick, short bridge is actually a comfort. Even more, knowing that those on the other side are experiencing great joy and perfect peace is also a comfort. I’m not far from Jesus, and when I’ve weathered all the storms of life, I will anchor with Him and the saints of God within the port of everlasting peace.

My anchor holds

Anchors normally connect boats or ships to the bottom of a body of water to prevent them from drifting due to wind or current. They can be temporary or permanent, such as a mooring that is heavy and rarely moved. Anchors have holding power because they either hook into the seabed, or are very heavy, or both. Also, a sea anchor or drogue is not in contact with the seabed yet may control a drifting vessel.

The Bible uses the term “anchor” to describe the power of our hope in Christ to stabilize our souls.

So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf…. (Hebrews 6:17–20)

As I read the descriptions of literal anchors, other symbolism came to mind. For instance, everyone looks for an anchor when life tosses us about like a cork on the water. We want something to hold on to or keep us stable.

We also drift from our goals without some sort of mooring to hold us against the pressures of distractions and life events that threaten us. Some of our moorings are weighty and able to keep us in one place a long time, but that may be a hindrance, not a benefit. Other anchors may or may not do the job because they are not connected to anything that is stable.

God gives me stability. His promises are guaranteed because He is faithful and does not lie. Not only that, all that threatens me has also threatened Jesus. Yet no matter what endangered Him, He remained anchored, secure in love and obedience, secure in the will of God. Since He lives in me, I have the same anchor, His same power to remain anchored to the promises of God.

Looking back over the past year, I recall more storms than calm waters, more waves than placid moorings. Yet in all of it, God provided an anchor --- Himself. His grace and faithfulness is my anchor.

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O Lord, you will not restrain your mercy from me; your steadfast love and your faithfulness will ever preserve me! (Psalm 40:11) Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands. (Psalm 63:3–4)

Stability in the storms

In our part of the world, it rained so much last month that when I went out, I didn’t know whether to take an umbrella or a canoe! August is a most welcome month as it brings more settled weather. It hasn’t rained for at least 36 hours and the sky today is clear.

Storms are often used in the Bible as a metaphor for the trials of life. However, what the disciples experienced on the sea of Galilee with Jesus was no metaphor.

And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?”(Matthew 8:23–27)

Today’s devotional reading points out that for parts of life there are no storm, no crisis, and during those times, we do our human best. However, when a crisis arises, we instantly reveal upon whom we rely.

This is so true. If my trust in God only goes up to a certain point, trouble will produce those basic panic prayers like those prayed by people who do not know God. This reveals that I am not really trusting that Jesus controls the world and the affairs of my life. Instead, for me He seems to be asleep and I can see nothing but high waves ahead. If I am relying on myself and suddenly find that I have no resources, I panic. I see others do the same, just as the disciples did.

Jesus said that they had little faith, yet they did not stay that way. As they walked with Him, their faith increased. It is the same for His people today. Through His Word and our experiences with Him, our faith grows. As I learn to worship and trust Him, then a crisis ought to reveal that even when I come to a breaking point, my confidence in Him remains firm.

The devotional says God expects His children to be so confident in Him that in any crisis we are the reliable ones. That means that we not only give joy to Him because of our faith, but we also become an anchor for others. Even if my faith in God is not shared by someone else who is in trouble, I’ve had people say that they like to hang around me because, “you are so stable.”

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Lord, I know You are my anchor in storms and the solid rock upon which I stand. I’m totally astounded and humbled that others would see me as a solid place for them when they panic. This is so amazing because when I am relying on You the most, I am also the most deeply aware of my weaknesses. Because of You, even when I feel like a useless pile of mush, others can see me as their source of stability. You again impress me with the importance of trusting You — all the time, no matter what happens, and particularly during storms.

To Live is Christ — focused on revealed truth

My dad once thought that if a moon bow (rainbow at night) ever appeared, that was a sign that the world would end. Then, when the children were small, my family saw a moon bow. The world is still here, more than twenty years later.

My tiny notion about the world ending is that God would bring judgment soon after human beings created a life form. This has apparently happened; it was the headline in this morning’s newspaper. Will the world end soon? My notion could be like my dad’s and be mere speculation. However, the “increasing knowledge” plus earthquakes and other phenomena predicted in Scripture add to the idea that Jesus will return soon. Things could drastically change in the near future.

Even if this down cycle passes, even if the world recovers from its climate changes, economic spirals, and odd weather patterns, I’m turning my heart to the constants. What God reveals as truth is always true. No matter what happens outside my window, I do not have to worry, panic, or even speculate.

Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. (1 John 4:15–16)

These two verses are part of my anchor. I know and have confessed that Jesus is the Son of God. God abides or lives in me and I am firmly secured in Him. I know and have experienced His love. I believe in His love even during those periods of life when it seems that I am not experiencing it. The love of God is who God is, so abiding in that love keeps me secure in Him, no matter what is going on in the world.

Whenever Jesus returns, the love of God keeps His people ready for it. We get whacked about by all sorts of events, downturns, adversities, and other negative situations, but none of this spells the end, because — for those who abide in Christ — there is no end.

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Assurance from the Flood

Only a sovereign God could use historical events to depict spiritual truth. His judgment on sin and evil is shown by the battles in the Old Testament between His people and the pagan nations. His salvation is illustrated in the story of Noah, the flood and the ark. The apostle Peter writes about it.

There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 3:21)

In the days of Noah, a worldwide flood destroyed all but a few because God was judging them. In the final days, the judgment of God will also be upon everyone who are not in His ark of safety, that ark being Jesus Christ. Being in Him is like being in the ark that took Noah safely through the storm of judgment.

Baptism literally means “immersed” or “put into.” Taken in that way, the baptism Peter is talking about is not water baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh), but that “being put into” that gives a person a good conscience toward God. This can only be that baptism whereby God puts people into the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In our union with Him, we participate in His death, burial and resurrection, and all believers are said to be “in Christ.”

Think of Noah’s ark as a tomb. The eight people in this big boat died to their world when they entered it. Then when the left the ark, they entered a new world. Peter says this experience is analogous to my experience. God put me in Christ and I died to the world I came from. He also gave me new life in the spiritual realm and the assurance that one day my body will be resurrected and live in another world.

How is this information practical for me today? The verse speaks of a good conscience toward God. Those without it have no idea of the freedom that brings. Because I am “in Christ” I know I can stand before God without condemnation. I am a sinner, but Christ paid the full penalty for my sin. I am free of the guilt that would otherwise be my condemnation and bring me into eternal judgment. I walk lightly because this is true.

Also, because Jesus died and rose again, both will be my experience. Death isn’t all that exciting — my to-do list is too long :-) — but I know that death is not the end. I will rise to eternal life and be with Christ forever. This too brings great freedom. The fear of dying is no threat and I know that this life is not all there is. Christ has taken care of all the important questions and issues.

I’m reminded of Romans 8:31-32 which asks these rhetorical questions, “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?”

In Christ my enemies are not a threat and God offers me all that I need, both for this life and the next. God’s man Noah sent out a dove to make sure it was safe to venture forth, but I don’t need to do that. My assurance is in the promises of God and the saving power of Jesus Christ.

My Anchor

Everyone knows that a ship requires an anchor to remain stable during storms or to stay put when currents would push it along. Without something to hold them firm, sailing vessels might crash against the shore, or a reef, or rocks, or forever drift at sea.

Yesterday brought storms. Someone gave us deeply distressing prayer requests. I received difficult news from another source. Like sea waves, my stomach churned and no matter how I prayed, I could not shake the sense of being blown off my moorings by howling winds and an enemy who taunted me with, now where is your God?

This morning God gave me an anchor and at the same time made me realize that the one I was using was made of glass.

I find it far too easy to misread my source of security when all is going well. Instead of God being the One in control and being the reason that I am joyful, all those good circumstances He provides slither up unto the throne and I begin evaluating where I am and how I am doing by those things—instead of God.

Circumstances change. As my reading from God is Enough says, God alone is unchangeable. The things I call “spiritual blessings” are not. Prayers that are answered yesterday may seem to be unanswered today. A promise that was fulfilled last week may seem to lose its luster this week. Spiritual blessings that once brought joy fade into memories that seem utterly impossible to recall. Like the manna God used to feed His people, what nourished me yesterday has shriveled and become unappetizing today.

Is this why I must always seek His face? I think so. Stuff, good events, even answered prayer can become the things that I rely on; but, because they are prone to change, all such things cannot keep my heart at rest. As soon as those howling winds of change or adversity come, all that seemed good seems gone.

Yet, as my reading says, when all else is gone, God is still left. Nothing changes Him. He remains “the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever” (Hebrews 13:8). He still loves me. He still cares for me. He still provides all my needs. I remember my mother often saying about unexpected storms, “Well, we must need it or we wouldn’t be getting it.” She knew that God knows what is best, and sometimes it might be storms.

Aside from whatever good the storms might do for me, there is a lesson in the fact that they happen. God wants me to recognize who and what I am trusting. My anchor only holds when it is deeply latched onto Him.

James 1:17 says, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” Stuff wavers, life wavers. God never does and my devotional reading says, “The soul who finds his joy in Him alone can suffer no wavering” either.

My pattern so often takes a slide from trusting God and enjoying His blessings, to trusting the blessings and wondering what happened when they seem to vanish. He reminds me this morning that I can always rejoice in Him. Unlike the circumstances of life, He never changes. More than that, when storms come I can always depend on Him to hold me solidly in place. The storms will pass, but my Anchor is always here.