TODAY’S MEDITATION – “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” (John 11:40)
The bible tells us that: “And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come” (Matthew 11:11-15). My brother, my sister, you want your life on earth to look like life in heaven where there is peace, joy and abundance? What or who but yourself can stop you from having access to heavenly places or in the Lord’s Kingdom? Is today’s passage not enough for you to understand that tears, doubts, faithlessness are not serving your good interest?
My friend, the Bible says the kingdom of God has suffered violence through oppositions, oppressions, etc. for ages we cannot even count. My friend, know that the more you are getting close to the Lord because of a more intimate relationship, the more opposition will come against you; the more you are approaching God’s blessings, the more temptation will invite itself at your door.
But, let’s walk with confidence because we are part of a great spiritual heritage than the prophets of the Bible because they were not able to know Christ and His finished work on the cross that they announced Him. By faith, you and I believe and have access to the prophecies of His coming, death and resurrection to sustain us. Therefore, we should also understand that, because the cross was not easy anyway and Jesus said we need to carry ours, accessIing our blessings in heavenly places and getting into the Kingdom of God requires courage, unwavering faith, determination and endurance due to the opposition that always comes against Jesus’ friends. My friend, God is a loving Father… not Santa Claus. God loves you and this should always be your prayer, especially in times of hardships: “I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living” (Psalm 27:13) because I know that “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1:17). Well, Jesus is asking you one thing today in front of all the adversity you be facing: “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” (John 11:40). blessed in Jesus’ name.