Our lives are not just on earth. When we believe in Christ our lives are eternal. We can have hope for the kingdom we will receive on the other side of this life on earth. This kingdom is unshakeable. Unlike earth, it is free from strife and struggles. It is the place that God has prepared for us. We can have hopefulness for how God clears the way for such a place, because we know that He has actively cleared out all corruption. Our hope should give way to thanksgiving for all He is doing for us. We don’t deserve what He will give us, but His love for us makes this gift available.
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.”
Hebrews 12:28-29 NIV
Having hope in living can come from knowing that we serve a God that knows our pain and struggle. He went through weakness, testing and temptation. He has experienced all that we have. He is relatable and empathetic, which makes us want to know Him. He is also above all sin and lived life without falling, which makes us want to hold Him in highest honor and worship Him. Being able to be close with Him, while also wanting to praise Him is why we can have so much hope for our eternal lives. He will guide us lovingly with mercy and grace. We need His help to navigate life; otherwise, we are doomed to wander aimlessly unaware of what awaits us.
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Hebrews 4:14-16 NIV
Considerations for your planner:
- Do you feel hope for what is to come beyond death? Write down how you envision or talk to God about the kingdom that awaits us.
- Do you know and worship God? Often we worship Him out of obligation, but we don’t know Him. Write down how you want to get to know Him.
A Story of Knowing and Praising:
I have known God most of my life. I have always felt a need to praise Him. I am not sure it was out of obligation, but I do know that worshipping Him came much easier than really getting to know Him.
God has always seemed so big and complex. His grandeur might have been what led me to feel ease about worshipping Him. However, not knowing Him led me to fear Him more than trust Him. It also led me to struggle with guilt and shame through much of my youth for my transgressions. I didn’t know His mercy and grace.
As I have grown to know God better, He is like a dear friend or the loving father I never had. He consoles me. I often feel that He lovingly pats me on the head when I ask silly questions. I am just glad I ask them now. It feels so good to talk to Him regularly and feel such a strong connection to Him. Knowing Him has increased my desire to praise Him. Not out of fear, but out of love and trust.
- Anonymous
Strengthen the Christian Planner Family by sharing your experiences. We'd love to hear a story about God's work in your life. Use the form linked below to submit your story.
