“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined the things that God has prepared for those who love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9 (GW)
You can be thankful in your trials—not because they are good but because God is good, and he has promised heaven for all those who believe in his Son, Jesus.
What is heaven going to be like? The Bible says, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined the things that God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9 GW).
The Bible says we can’t even begin to imagine how wonderful heaven will be. And yet most people have such a poor idea of heaven that it’s no surprise they’re not exactly looking forward to it.
Movies and TV have often portrayed heaven as completely colorless. But who do you think created the vibrant colors all around us? God did! And you’re not going to sit in a robe with angel’s wings playing a harp on a cloud. If you ask me, that would be hell!
There are a lot of amazing and beautiful things on this planet, and God created all of them—beach landscapes, snow-capped mountains, redwood forests, and all the beauty and variety of flowers and animals. The earth is broken, yet it’s still such a jaw-droppingly beautiful place!
Now think about a place with no sin, no suffering, no sorrow, and no destruction—and think about what it will be like. We can’t even begin to imagine what God has been preparing for us.
After our son Matthew died, Kay and I were asked in an interview about heaven and hope. Here’s what I said:
We probably received over thirty thousand letters of condolences. The letters that meant the most to me were the people that Matthew had led to faith in Christ—those who said they were going to be in heaven because of him. The ones who said, “I know the Lord. I have a relationship with Jesus because of your son.”
And I remember writing in my journal that in God’s garden of grace, even a broken tree bears fruit. And that was true in his life.
You say, “Well are you happy that it’s making a difference?” Of course I am. I still want my son back. I still want my son back. But as David, who lost a son, said in 2 Samuel 12, “He will not come back to me, but I will go to him.”
That is the hope of heaven that we have—that has strengthened us even through the darkest days. Wherever there’s a shadow, there’s a light. The key to walking through the valley of the shadow of death is to turn your back on the shadow, which is scary, and look at the Light. And that’s how you get through it.
If you’re walking through the valley today, keep going, and look to the Light. Heaven is just around the corner.
If you’re walking through the valley today, what do you know is still true about God and his promises?
When you see something beautiful in nature or in other people, remind yourself of how it will be exponentially more beautiful in heaven. What difference does that make in changing your perspective in your daily life?
Who can you share the hope of heaven with today?
Are you certain of where you will go when you die?
Many people fear death—partly because they don’t know where they’ll go when they die. But Jesus came to save us from that fear of death.
The Bible says that every one of us sins and that the penalty of sin is death. But God loves you so much that he sent his Son, Jesus, to pay the penalty for your sins, to bring you into the family of God, and to save you from the fear of death.
If you’re ready to enter God’s family, here’s a prayer you can pray: “Dear God, I know that when I die, I’m going to give an account of my life to you directly. I confess I have ignored you. I know I have sinned against you, and I have lived by my plan, not yours. I want that to change, starting right now. I want to turn away from my sins and toward you.
“Thank you for sending Jesus to die for all I’ve done wrong so that I don’t have to pay the penalty. I know I don’t deserve your forgiveness. I know only your grace can save me.
“Jesus, thank you for loving me so much that you took all my guilt on yourself. You made me acceptable for heaven, and I humbly ask you to save me from my sins and from my fear of death. I believe in you, Jesus. And I believe that you will keep your promise to save me instantly, certainly, completely, and eternally. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.”
If you just prayed to accept Jesus, please email me at Rick@PastorRick.com and let me know about it. I’d like to send you some free materials to help you start your journey with Jesus.
