Wednesday June 2, 2021

Today’s Reading: Psalm 39

You, indeed, have made my days short in length, and my life span as nothing in Your sight. Yes, every mortal man is only a vapor. Selah

Psalm 39:5

Reflection: Our lives on earth are not the end for us. In its hustle and bustle, in its times of happiness and celebration, in its times of trial and suffering, we can often become so consumed with life here and now. Without an eternal perspective, our highest highs and lowest lows become the extremes of what there is to experience about what is our whole life. But the psalmist reminds us that with the perspective of eternity in mind, all that exists in life on earth is a mere shadow of the fullness of life that can last forever. In the LORD’s eyes, the lifespan of humanity is but a vapor. It is short-lived, it is it is finite. All that is gained on earth is one day forgotten completely, as is all that is lost. All the temporal that we have enjoyed in the world must be left behind one day as our life continues.

This is why we as God’s people must live with Heaven in mind. As it has been said, our lives are like a vapor of smoke, rising for a moment and disappearing the next. We do not have much time to live with Heaven in mind, so we must do it now. As children of the Kingdom of God, we are foreigners who will one day return to our homeland of Heaven and must, in the meantime, live as representatives of this eternal Kingdom.

Are you reveling in God’s blessings now, O follower of Christ? Live in gratitude to God for them, and do not be too greedy to sacrifice it all, should your LORD command you. These gifts are but a small taste of the much greater blessing of one day knowing God fully and seeing Him face to Face. Are you enduring much pain or suffering, O believer? Do not fear or doubt, for the LORD will remain faithful to provide all that you need. Your troubles will one day pale in comparison with the great mercies of God in Heaven that you will enjoy with Him. There is hope in the LORD Who will one day call You to be with Him forever. Life on earth is not all that is in store for us. There is much more to look forward to in eternity with the LORD our God.

Prayer: Eternal God, thank You for Your countless blessings. They remind me of Your faithfulness and love. They are tangible things that cause me to recall the much greater heavenly blessings that You have given to me. In my highest highs and lowest lows, I know that You are near. I am assured of eternity in Your care because of the work You Son has accomplished by forsaking all the things that the earth holds dear. Help me to be more like Jesus, LORD. Help me to live like Him: willing to give everything away for Your glory and crediting all good things to Your Holy Name. It is in Christ’s Name that I pray these things, LORD. Thank You for all that You do for me, AMEN.

Bible-in-a-Year Reading Plan (credit: Biblestudytools.com): Hebrews 4:14-6:12; Genesis 49:1-50:26; Psalm 39