O King of the nations, and their desire,
the cornerstone making both one:
Come and save the human race,
which you fashioned from clay.
I am not a betting woman, but if I were, I would bet people have mused about what heaven will look like since the beginning of time. Though curious, I usually leave the heavy lifting to the scholars because I have something else on my mind. I imagine the moment I get to wrap my arms around my grandmothers again. And while clouds and a street paved with gold would be delightful, I cannot wait to enjoy a tête-à-tête with my favorite people in Scripture.
However, I have no clue what I’ll do when I meet Him—the object of my affection, the love of my eternity, my reason for living. Jesus.
We all know what it’s like to be reunited with an old friend after many years, but to be reunited with our Creator? That is a reunion that eclipses everything else. It is likely the others will fade into the background, and my once overzealous attitude about meeting them along with it. Still, I wonder what I’ll do. Like the song by the band Mercy Me, “I can only imagine //… Will I sing Hallelujah? / Will I be able to speak at all?” In the midst of all of the confusing subjects we could contemplate forever, one thing is clear: we live for that day.
Ezekiel 16 describes Israel as an unsatisfied adulterer whose actions were so unsavory that even Philistine women were embarrassed by the Israelites’ indecency. The Israelites were God’s chosen people, those who were supposed to bless other nations through the example they set. In contrast, Philistine women were those who sacrificed children and obeyed their lusts. It reveals the great lengths to which Israel had gone to abandon her Lord. As a result, judgment was announced, and it was evident that there would be no avoiding it.
And yet, even in the midst of exile, the Israelites had hope. Isaiah reminded them to have hope in reconciliation with their God because a King would be born: One whose name would be “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).
Jesus is that King. He fulfilled that promise to all people as King of the nations. His words in Luke 4:16–21 brought the hope of reconciliation to everyone: the poor, the captive, and the oppressed. Today, despite the many ways it feels like we have been exiled to a disreputable place, we can have hope, too.
Today, we wait with hope and expectation for the day God will bring everything, both in heaven and on earth, together in Christ (Ephesians 1:9–10). However, until that day comes, we can imagine. We can imagine what it will be like to live without fear, to gaze at our Savior, and to delight in the peace and contentment His presence creates. We can imagine our King because He is coming.
Who should not fear you, King of nations?
It is what you deserve. For among all the wise people of all the nations and among all their kingdoms, there is no one like you.
Jeremiah 10:7
Jesus there is no one like You!
Thank you for coming and fulfilling the Father’s plan for our redemption and salvation ❤️
♥️
I cannot wait to meet Jesus!!! While I hope that day will come when my boys, their wives, and my grandchildren have given their lives to Jesus/rededicated their lives to Jesus, the anticipation is still there to be wrapped in His arms! I can only imagine what that is going to feel like that. I only picture being crawled up in His lap when I need to be comforted, but one day I will actually be IN His lap! I will be in the great I Am presence!
Thank you Michelle for that wonderful prayer, and others praying for our jail ministry and my growth!! It really has made a difference in my walk!
I wrote a comment this morning, well, the GM She’s and a sentence or two and never finished!
Celebrating with you Heidi, congrats!
I too love “I Can Only Imagine” and have told people for years it is one of my funeral songs! My mom and I also discussed that very song and our funerals the night after an ambulance ride to the hospital from respiratory failure that we thought she was in the clear, but ended up passing 4 days later. It was the last real conversation we had. I knew she couldn’t wait to go see Jesus though, and that is such a comfort to know she is with Him. And now, talking to my dad yesterday he said he is ready and can’t wait to go too, he is almost 80 and not very good health. I agree with Sharon, that advent is waiting expectantly for our Saviour’s return for the church! Oh Glorious Day!
I can’t believe Christmas is in 3 days!! And then 2024!
HEIDI – cheering you on to the finish line. Don’t get to hung up on the grades, focus in the transformation that has come from the class.
Amen❤️
WE DID IT LADIES!!!!! WHOOOO-HOOOOOOO!!!!!! Those of us who were around at the end of spring semester last year, I know you remember the panic!! :) Lol! Much less panic this time around and we didn’t have to stay up til 1:am submitting things!!! :) :) :)
Fall 23 is O-V-E-R MY FRIENDS!!!! And now I can get to celebrating the birth of our glorious Savior… ahhhhh…. relief.
Ya’lls comments… some had me encouraged and some had me giggling and all had me feeling loved and covered and peaceful… No way I could have accomplished this without His power, so thank you thank you!!!!
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
**(and i’m aware, at this point i’m going to need to have DTS sign your names to my diploma as honorary graduates ..lol!!!!!!)