Photo by Laurie Collett 2017 |
On our recent trip to Ireland, one of the major highlights was
the majestic Cliffs of Moher, an amazingly beautiful display of God’s handiwork
(Psalm 19:1). Each new vista
of rock formations abutting the azure sea was more breathtaking than the
previous panorama. Yet I was also struck by the sporadic handfuls of
wildflowers dotting the cliff faces, springing up defiantly from crevices in
the limestone.
God only knows how they got there, thriving luxuriantly
where there seemed to be no soil or water to nourish them. He provides for lilies
of the field and clothes them in greater splendor than the richest kings (Matthew 6:28-33), even though
they will soon fade and wither away, leaving no trace of their former beauty (Isaiah 40:7; James 1:11).
On the other hand, the cliffs seem eternal, immovable,
unchanging, as Christians should be in their service to Christ (1 Corinthians 15:58). Yet God’s Word tells us that the earth and even its elements will burn up with a fervent
heat, so that He can renovate all in preparation for new heavens and a new
earth (2 Peter 3:10-12; Isaiah 65:17;
66:22). Only God (Hebrews
13:8; Revelation 1:8), His Word (Isaiah 40:8), and man’s eternal soul will never pass away.
Every human being will live
forever. Those who have trusted in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus
Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) as
the only Way to Heaven (John 14:6)
will have eternal life in Heaven with Him and with their loved ones who have
trusted Him as their Lord and Savior (John
3:16; 14:1-3).
But those who pass into eternity rejecting Him will also
live forever, but not in Heaven. Their fate is eternal torment, as intense as
the searing heat of a fresh burn, yet one that never abates (Jude 1:7; Mark 9:43-48; Luke
16:19-31; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9).
Our life here is but a vapor, just a few days, and so short
that we are not promised tomorrow (Job
14:1; James 4:14). May those who do not yet know Him trust Him before that door slams shut, and may those of us who
trust Him have boldness and wisdom to witness to them of His infinite love (1 John 4:8) and saving grace (Ephesians 2:8-9).
While we are here on earth, He will never leave nor forsake
His children (Hebrews 13:5),
and He will always provide for our physical needs (Psalm 37:25). Our Creator cares for even the weeds,
nourishing them against all odds on a barren cliff, and without their having to
work to clothe themselves (Matthew 6:28-33).
He cares for the birds of the air (Matthew
10:29-31), and does He not care even more for each of us?
So why do we fret over our daily needs, and concern
ourselves with the ephemeral, earthly cares and pleasures that vanish as
quickly as the breath before our lips on a
cold day? Should we not instead concern ourselves with the eternal? May we lay
up treasures in Heaven (Matthew 6:19-21),
which no one can steal from us and which nothing can destroy, and which we
shall enjoy eternally!
The apostle Paul tells us that the good works we did with
the right motive for the kingdom of God will emerge from His judgment fire more
refined and pure, like gold, silver and precious stones, and that He will
reward us for these. But those things we did grudgingly, or for money, pride,
or for the praise of others, will burn up like wood, hay and stubble (1 Corinthians 3:11-15).
This week we were reminded once again of the transience of our
human existence, as two elderly sisters in Christ went home to be with the
Lord. Their lives, like those of any of us, were ephemeral, yet their legacy of
faithfulness is eternal. Despite enduring nearly constant hardships involving physical
health, family, and finances, they were faithful to be in church whenever the
doors were open and to serve to the best of their ability (1 Corinthians 4:2).
I can imagine Jesus Himself welcoming them with open arms
and greeting them with “Well done, thou good and faithful servant – enter now
into the joy of your Lord!” (Matthew
25:21, 23) That joy will last forever, and I believe will begin with
having Jesus tell them of all the children they taught in Sunday School who
since were saved, for they had planted the seed of His Word (Luke 8:5-15) and His love in
their hearts!
In this life they had very little that the world would envy.
Yet they had the peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7) and joy in their salvation (Psalm 51:12; Isaiah 61:10)
that transcended all physical circumstances, and which are inaccessible until
we are born again (John 3:3-8).
May those of us they left behind be inspired to follow
their example, to serve joyfully and faithfully, and to work for eternal
rewards, not ephemeral pleasures!
4 comments:
Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday and today and to the ages to come.
Amen, David! We serve a constant Lord Who does not and cannot change.
God bless,
Laurie
Dear Laurie,
Your latest blog has coincided with this week's sermon delivered at our church this morning. The theme was about how the earth and everything in it belongs to the Lord. Since it was God who created everything, he has full claim of ownership. As every person who ever lived also belongs to God, in essence every believer in Jesus Christ will spend eternity with him, but every unbeliever, as you say, will spend eternity separated from him, which was not God's original intent for mankind. Rather, he is patient and is not willing that anyone should perish, but all should come to repentance. For God commands all men everywhere to repent (change their minds about Jesus of Nazareth being the risen Christ and to trust in him.)
As for the contrast between the delicateness of a flower blossoming among rocky crags of a cliff, God's creation will always testify of his existence.
An excellent post. God bless.
Dear Frank,
It always thrills me when the Holy Spirit causes a message to be reinforced in our hearts by hearing it from different sources and in different ways. Often I am pleasantly surprised to hear the same verses quoted in the morning sermon that I just taught in my ladies' class!
Praise God for His infinite love, mercy and grace, to desire fellowship with each of us, and to send His Son Jesus Christ to make this possible.
Thanks as always for your uplifting and Bible-based comment. God bless,
Laurie
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