Pleasure Forever & Will NOT Abandon

Over the weekend from Planet Wisdom Devotionals!

 

Is your refuge in the Creator of the Universe or in the finite things you can accomplish?

 

Have a GREAT Monday!

 

PlanetWisdom.com Devotionals

Pleasure Forever Posted: 17 May 2009 07:30 PM PDT "You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." (Psalm 16:11) How important is heaven to you? I've got a good friend who is dying, and he knows it. He has always been a joyful guy, and he might be even more so today. He's convinced of the reality of heaven -- that God will fill him with joy and eternal pleasure in His presence forever. I get why heaven is important to people who are forced by leaky life to deal with the reality of death. But I also know many believers who hold on to heaven like a consolation prize. They're not all that excited about the experience; they're still putting a big chuck of hope in fulfilling their dreams in this life. It's hard to blame ourselves for feeling that way; heaven is a tough place to imagine -- and our desires for good things here are so powerful. Ultimately, though, we're built to be with God. Nothing good He gives us in the life will even come close to matching the eternal pleasures and endless joy of heaven. Good days here are fine gifts from our good God. But the good days there -- with Him -- are the point of it all. Think: How often do you think about heaven? Would you say that you're looking forward to it? Do you expect that being with God will be the ultimate experience, the moment when everything missing will finally be complete? Pray: Thank God for the hopeful certainty of heaven for all who are in Christ. Ask Him to help your anticipation for being with Him there to build. Do: Read Colossians 3:1-4. Visit PlanetWisdom.com for more great resources!

Will Not Abandon Posted: 17 May 2009 07:12 PM PDT "Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay." (Psalm 16:9-10) Today's passage is true on three levels: 1) While writing this, David was likely in some kind of danger. But he rejected anxiety because he was convinced God would save him. He chose to sleep soundly, trusting God to keep him safe and sound in spite of his scary circumstances. He was even happy and singing! 2) Both Peter and Paul quote these verses in the book of Acts (Acts 2:25-28 and 13:35-37), and both show how David's words pointed ahead to his descendent, Jesus, the ultimate Holy One. They explained that David's words rightly predicted that Jesus would not rot away in a tomb, but come back to life instead. 3) All Christians can claim these words, in a sense. We may die physically, but God will not let death keep us rotting in the ground, either. As His saints, His "holy ones," we will be resurrected, too, just as He was. (See 1 Corinthians 15:22.) Think: Does knowing that God is with you in hard times -- and that He will ultimately keep you safe forever -- help you to have a glad heart and happy tongue? Why or why not? Pray: Thank God that He was able to keep David safe, that He raised Jesus back to life, and that He has given you eternal life, as well. Ask Him to help you to be happy about that. Do: If you haven't, yet, read how Peter explained these verses in Acts 2 on the day of Pentecost. Visit PlanetWisdom.com for more great resources!