ESOCS Devotional 12 January 2021
TEXT: ISAIAH 5:8-23
MEMORY VERSE: “His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ Matthew 25:23 NKJV
When we would walk by that crystal-clear river that flows from the throne of God, the “pure river of water of life” (Rev. 22:1), we shall inherit the golden city of God, into which nothing shall enter that defiles or causes an abomination or a lie (Rev. 21:27). We would live with God forever. He would be our God for eternity, our light, and our delight. In His presence, we would have the fullness of joy, and at His hand we would have pleasures forever (Ps. 16:11). In that place, we would not experience pain or shed tears. We would rejoice exceedingly always, and live a life of bliss, peace, and gain the hallowed blessedness of Jesus Christ our Lord. It would be a triumphant homecoming for us, for we shall be more than conquerors (Rom. 8:37).
Read yesterday’s ESOCS Devotional here
How would all these things be possible with us? It would be possible if we are diligent to protect our heart from sin (Prov. 4:23); use the word of God to cleanse ourselves (John 15:3); if we carefully learn God’s word, imbibe it, and practise it (Ps. 119:9); when we watch over ourselves to live a lifestyle approved of God (Acts 2:22; 1 Thess. 2:4); if we are careful to maintain good works (Titus 3:8); if we live our life in the spirit and not in the flesh (Gal. 5:25; 1 Pet. 4:6); if we hide God’s word in our heart and be conscious of it all the time in our Christian life (Ps. 119:11); if we do not cherish sin in our heart (Ps. 66:18); if we remain true disciples of Jesus (Jn. 8:31); if we do not become friends of the world (Jam. 4:4); if we truly become friends of Jesus (Jn. 15:14, 15); if we remain steadfast in the Christian faith (Col. 1:21-23; 1 Pet. 5:9); and many more.
Jesus is waiting to welcome us into His kingdom above. He has opened His arms to give us warm embrace. Let us run straight into His arms and remain there, and not look back at the world, lest we would be enticed by its pleasures and attractions, and be drawn away and perish (2 Tim. 4:10; Acts 7:39; Gen. 19:26). Let us cling to Him in our heart and never let go. He gave us life, let us invest it wisely and rightly. He gave us His grace abundantly, let us utilise it appropriately. He called us into His family, let us remain in it and not walk away. He died for us, let us show that we are grateful by carefully obeying whatsoever command He gives us (Jn. 2:5). He called us out of darkness and brought us into His gracious light, let us remain in that light and not walk back into darkness (2 Pet. 2:9).
We should strive to become God’s faithful children. Such people are judged by Him to be mature enough to take up responsibilities for Him in His kingdom. He would cast into the lake of fire, those who are not faithful, such as the unprofitable servant. But if we are faithful and true to Him, at the end of our pilgrimage on earth He would welcome us into His paradise and say to us, “‘Well done, good and faithful servant,” and grant us rest in His bosom forevermore. Such should be our goal, and our delight.
CHALLENGES
Makes efforts towards a rich welcome home in heaven when you depart the world, eventually.
PRAYER POINT
Lord, teach me those principles that would enable me return to you when I die.
FURTHER READING: Isaiah 14:1-23; Zechariah 9:9-12; Revelation 21:22-22:5
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ESOCS Devotional 12 January 2021
