A glimpse of heaven?

 

Years ago, God did something so remarkable that I often think of it. One morning I woke with a very sore back. No reason, but I stayed in bed not able to rise. I prayed, concerned that I could not care for my children. The answer was unexpected. The Lord filled me with incredible joy. The pain stayed, but the joy was so intense that it faded from my priorities. Today’s reading reminds me of that day. It points to this verse:

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places... (Ephesians 1:3)

Before reading this, I read more in Charnock’s book, “The Existence and Attributes of God” in a section about God’s knowledge and how it relates to eternity and that He knows all things even before they happen. These two realities meld. God has blessed me in heavenly places (future for me, eternal for God) and that incident gave me a taste of what He can do even in this life when trials come. As the reading says, I could be crushed or they could carry me to heights of victory. He compares this to an event in the life of Elisha, the prophet.

Elisha was translated into heaven above and that may not happen to me, but He can translate His people into the heaven within us, which “is almost a grander translation” than what happened to him. God is able to carry us up and away from the earthly plane of life where there is hurt and sadness into the “heavenly places in Christ” where we will experience triumph over all below.

Even though these “heavenly places” are interior not exterior, the road that leads to them is interior also. They come with some outward loss, trial, or disappointment, or even chastening that is not joyous, yet even chastening leads to joy...

For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. (Hebrews 12:11)

I have a poster on my fridge that says: “God may not change my circumstances because He wants to change my heart.” For that reason, no matter what happens, as my mom always said, “I must need it or I would not be getting it.”

I’m to look on trials and chastening as God’s chariots sent to carry my soul into the “high places” of spiritual peace and uplifting, no matter how grievous they may be for the present. Even in pain, God can give great joy. He did that for me.

And it is my prayer that my love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that I may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. (Philippians 1:9–11, personalized)

PRAY: Lord, the days have been strenuous with de-cluttering, packing, and many responsibilities, yet You give great joy. Fill me with the fruit of righteousness in every hour. Enable me to be a blessing to all who help us with this move and to You also, to Your glory. Fill my heart with praise and that amazing joy and peace that often do not make sense, but certainly do enable me to do Your will without fear, worry or grumbling.

Joy

 

READ Psalm 96–100

This morning our son sent me a link to an older video that he’s just discovered. After listening to it and reading these psalms, I’m filled again with great joy. God truly brings His people together as we praise Him. This is the LINK to the video and the music is Ode to Joy. It shows the wonder of what happens when people obey these verses:

Oh sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth! Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the Lord made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. (Psalm 96:1–6)

Why praise God? Because “The heavens proclaim his righteousness, and all the peoples see his glory. All worshipers of images are put to shame, who make their boast in worthless idols; worship him, all you gods!” (97:6–7) It is also because joy is the consequence of doing what God says, and what He wants for us — the reason for His decrees. “Light is sown for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart. Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous, and give thanks to his holy name!” (97:11–12)

Music is a powerful medium. It can be exciting, soothing, energizing, even maddening, but most of all, the music of praise is joyful. I see it on the faces of those in the video and feel it rise up in my heart as I sing with them.

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises! Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody! With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord! (98:4–6)

I worship God because He is holy: “Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at his holy mountain; for the Lord our God is holy!” (99:9) That means He is ‘set apart’ and there is no one or nothing like Him. He is worthy of our praise, totally worthy.

Joy is also powerful. Yesterday at church an elder sat near the back. He attends each week with a limp, a leg brace, and always with joy on his face. This time, he also had a black eye and a few facial scars. He told me he fell, but he never grimaced. We talked about the discovery that joy is not about all things being well. Instead, joy from God overrides all things. It cannot be ruined by mishaps, pain, trials or discomfort. Learning to live in joy is an amazing gift from the Lord, a gift received by this man, the psalmists, and others who enter a deep walk with Jesus Christ. Joy is not the reason we worship; worship is the reason we have joy.

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations. (100:1–5)

Thank You Lord for the joy that reveals to me Your great love and power, Your faithfulness and determination to bless Your children. What a wonder You are!