Saturday 23 June 2007

Rejoice because your names are written in heaven

“Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.” - Luke 10v20

Life surely as its ups and downs, its victories and defeats, its successes and its failures. Wouldn’t it be nice if there were something solid that we could hold on to so that we could keep on rejoicing even when things were not going the way we wanted?

Jesus had sent 70 disciples out on a short term mission trip. They had seen great victories, to the point, that in their view, even the demons were subject to them. They were rejoicing in their victories. Finally, it seemed, it was all coming together.

Jesus however go their focus back in line. He knew that serving Him would not always be a bed of roses. He knew that difficult times were coming. He knew they needed something more substantial to hold on to.

“Don’t rejoice in these things,” He said, “rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” There is one place that they, and we, can always find perfect stability. That will never, ever change.

That’s why we can say in the words of a film that we have seen; “When we win, we will praise Him. When we lose, we will praise Him.”

Enjoy the victories – but remember that is not what really counts. Rejoice that our lives are secured in heaven.

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