The Surprises That Lie Ahead

-August 21, 2023-

Good morning, happy Monday,

“But as it is written: ‘Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.’ But God has revealed them to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.”

(1 Corinthians 2:9-10).

We all like surprises, good surprises. We especially appreciate surprise birthday parties, surprise gifts, and surprise announcements, such as raises, promotions, births, and other things that make the heart sing. But we don’t like bad surprises.

Today’s verses show that God has some great surprises awaiting us in heaven. When Paul was taken up to the third heaven, he saw and heard things no living person in earth ever could see or hear. 2 Corinthians 12:2-4 says, “I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up to the third heaven. And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body, I do not know, God knows—how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which is not lawful for a man to utter.”

Paul was that man. He was not permitted to share experiences with anyone. There are things that we do know from the Scriptures that absolutely thrill the heart: we will see Jesus face to face in all His glory; we will see myriads of angels and gloried saints: we will see pearly gates and streets of gold; we will see the Tree of Life and eat of its fruits; and we will see a pure river of life clear as crystal. In fact, there is going to be more, much more, more than we can imagine or dream of. These things merely whet our appetite for heaven our eternal abide!

None of us know all that awaits us, but we know enough to make us want to go there now! With each passing day, we are another day closer to glory. Let us look forward with glad anticipation to all the surprises He will have for us. Have a blessed day. Stay safe and healthy.

Looking to Jesus till glory doth shine,

Dean