THE 3RD OF MAY
LET US REJOICE THAT THE TROUBLES OF LIFE ARE JUST FOR A WHILE, WHEN COMPARED TO ETERNITY
In this (Your salvation) you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, You have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of Your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, – 1 Peter 1:6-7
The greatest joy for us as Christians, is that when we will leave this earth, we will spend our eternity where Jesus went to prepare a place for us. Salvation is the most powerful and certain source of joy. But no one can make it to heaven without having their faith tested through various trials.
Life with Jesus does not spare us of problems and suffering. The enemy uses every opportunity to attack us but the Lord only allows ones that we can learn from and mature spiritually. We are tested everyday so that we may find out what it is truly in our hearts.
Once we know what we still need to change, we can ask the Holy Spirit to help us do it. If we do not learn what the Lord wants us to learn from each test, we will have to go through the same test again and again, until we pass it. Then, from time to time, we will go through the same test, so that we will not forget it.
All of us, who pass the tests of faith, will praise, glorify, and honor Jesus when He comes on the clouds of heaven, at the rapture! The lost will be horrified and will have serious reason to fear. They will glorify the Lord too, but out of fear, not of love. But for us it will be the end of hardship and suffering and the beginning of eternal, glorious and happy life where our Lord Jesus is!
SUGGESTED PRAYER
Dear Jesus, I am grateful to You for everything I have in You in this life, and for eternity! Help me never forget what a wonderful place You have set for me for eternity and may I rejoice at the thought of what will follow after my life on earth is done. I am certain that I must go through sorrows while still here, but Your presence in my life and the knowledge of how beautiful it will be to enter into heaven, helps me to go through the day, without losing my faith! Thank You for everything. Amen