Longing for Heaven

As our family circumstances continue to remain so hopeless from my human perspective and as the world around us seems to be in a frenzy over so many issues, I have found myself longing for heaven.  I find myself often sending a prayer to God begging that He come back today.  I hate pain, and I hate sorrow.  I hate struggle, and I hate hardship.  So much of my life seems just that, and I am ready for the hope of salvation and eternal life with my God and Savior.  I am ready for the day when God will wipe away every tear and there will be no more pain or sorrow.

As I studied I Peter in the Fall and II Peter the past three months, I have had much time reading about suffering and the hope of salvation and heaven (I Peter) and how to keep going until the coming day of the Lord (II Peter).  It has given me much time for reflection and has helped remind me that my suffering is not for naught.  God has me in a dry and weary land to grow me and make me more like Him.  He is burning off the dross in the refining fire (I Peter 1:7) until He can see His reflection in my life.  I don't have to go through the fire alone because He is always with me.  At times, I am aware that I am surviving because He is carrying me through the worst of it.  Yet, at times, I find myself longing for the times that God would lead me beside the still waters and cause me to lie down in green pastures.  The dessert is a dry and harsh place to be.  The storm beats down on all sides.  However, God remains sovereign, and my hope of salvation remains.  I just need to keep on trusting and striving to know "Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death" (Philippians 2:10).

Until God does return or call me home, I have to take each day as it comes looking to the hope of my salvation as I enter heaven.  Until then, day by day, I find strength to meet my trials here.

My favorite hymn is "Day by Day."  David and I got to play a musical rendition of it in church a few months back.  Reflect on the truths of these words below as you listen to the music:



Day by day, and with each passing moment,
Strength I find to meet my trials here;
Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment,
I’ve no cause for worry or for fear.
He, whose heart is kind beyond all measure,
Gives unto each day what He deems best,
Lovingly its part of pain and pleasure,
Mingling toil with peace and rest.

Every day the Lord Himself is near me,
With a special mercy for each hour;
All my cares He fain would bear and cheer me,
He whose name is Counsellor and Pow’r.
The protection of His child and treasure
Is a charge that on Himself He laid;
“As thy days, thy strength shall be in measure,”
This the pledge to me He made.

Help me then, in every tribulation,
So to trust Thy promises, O Lord,
That I lose not faith’s sweet consolation,
Offered me within Thy holy Word.
Help me, Lord, when toil and trouble meeting,
E’er to take, as from a father’s hand,
One by one, the days, the moments fleeting,
Till with Christ the Lord I stand.

Translator: A. L. Skoog; Author: Carolina Sandell (1865)