In Day 1 of this series, we were reminded to surrender our troubles to God rather than carry them on our own. Today, Phil shares how the new song “Hymn of Heaven” encourages us to look forward to the hope of eternity when there will no longer be any struggles. We’ll have nothing to do but bask in the love and joy of God’s presence!
What a beautiful thing it is that we who follow Jesus have so much in common on such a deep level. We cry out to the same Savior, pray to the same Father. We are citizens of the same kingdom, belonging to the same family. And we all share the same hope of a future in heaven. I have found that there is so much power in the moments when the church gathers to sing of that hope—not just power that lifts our souls and builds our faith for the future, but also encourages us to live for that future today. When the disciples asked Jesus how we ought to pray, He said to pray to the Father, “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven” (Matt. 6:10).
Time after time, Jesus showed us that belonging to the kingdom of heaven offers, not just a future hope, but a kingdom that we can be a part of today. We can walk in His Spirit, stand in His victory, and move in His love today. This truth is why my song “Hymn of Heaven” has two different choruses. One looks to the hope of our future in Jesus. The other prays to let that hope fill our spheres of influence right now.
The Apostle Paul, while in prison, wrote to the Church in Philippi, amidst their own persecution, that “…our citizenship is in heaven” (Phil. 3:20).
C.S. Lewis wrote in his book, Mere Christianity, “If you read history you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were precisely those who thought most of the next.”
Here are a few ways we can live differently today because of our future heavenly hope and our present kingdom mission:
1. While reading Revelation 20:1-7, imagine the beauty of what it will be like when we are finally home. Focus on the greatest joy of all: being united with Christ for all eternity.
2. Make a commitment to pray the Lord’s Prayer each morning as you plan your day. Ask God how He might want to bring the heavenly reality of His kingdom through you today.
3. Be honest with God about the pain and longing in your heart in the midst of this broken world. Firmly place your hope in Jesus while experiencing the comfort of the Holy Spirit.
There’s so much pain and suffering in this world, but knowing that there’s life beyond the here and now is such an encouragement to press on and move forward with the work that God has for us here on earth.
What are you looking forward to the most about finally entering heaven? Share it with us in the comments!
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I cannot wait to go face to face with our lord . I often wonder what it will be like . Just like the song “ I can only imagine “ then after that , I cannot wait to see all my loved ones in heaven my mom being on top of the list and of course my pets .
Amen, Toni! It’s going to be amazing!
That’s is how I feel Every time I hear that song “I can only imagine” I feel a tremendous sense of relief ! It brings tears of joy to my heart. I look so forward to seeing my Mom and Dad and my husband, without pain and suffering
I look forward to being in Heaven with my LORD & SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST! To know all the answers to my many questions! To see all through the eyes of JESUS. To continually worship HIM. To see my loved ones who went before me! And to experience Heavenly Music continually! To bask in the light of the KING of KINGS! To sit at HIS BANQUET TABLE! To expierence the new spiritual body with no more pain or suffering! And so much more!😇👌💞
Amen, Florence! It will be amazing!
I look forward to the pure joy and peace when I’m finally home with my heavenly father! I will rejoice at seeing my loved ones again, the child I have yet to meet from miscarriage, and the sheer beauty and wonderous music that is beyond description.
It’ll be so incredible to see our loved ones again!!
I look forward to no more pain and suffering…especially for all the little children that are hungry, scared, and abused day in and day out. I long to see those children running around in beautiful fields of flowers, free, at peace, and happy with Jesus at last.
It’ll be an amazing day when we’re finally in God’s presence!
When I think of Heaven and how happy I will be, there’s a old hymn that comes to my mind…. It says., What a glory that will be, when the ransomed host we’ll see, O what a hallelujah grand when we meet in Beulah land, what a glory that will be. To as many as believe to them gave He the right to be called sons and daughters of God. Amen
That’s beautiful, thank you for sharing!
My facorite song is ” I Can Only Imagine” . That song sums up so much of what I look forward to in heaven. Just being in the complete prescence of my Savior is mind blowing.
We love that song too!