Week 44
1 Corinthians 13:12 “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known.”
The longing of God’s heart is for His people to enjoy His love, truth, purity, and grace in the superlative! The desire of our human aspiration is the same; we find that nothing in this world satisfies except our Lord’s dear presence and favor.
All through the Scripture God’s people are admonished to seek God’s face. In Psalm 105:4 the Bible says, “Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His face continually.” This is the call of Christ to the sinner’s heart: Seek My face! And the response of the heart filled with faith is found in Psalm 27:8, “When You said, ‘Seek My face,’ my heart said to You, ‘Your face, O Lord, I shall seek!” All through this earthly journey the Christian life may be summed up with these words: Seeking the face of God for the joy, love, and peace of the human soul!
The promise of God to His saved people is the promise that one day in heaven we shall see our dear and precious Lord FACE TO FACE! The old theologians called this the “Beatific Vision.” And what a vision it is! When we drop this robe of flesh and we fly away to Jesus in heaven, we shall so be transformed that this promise will be fulfilled to the fullest degree.
Can we imagine the joy to see Jesus FACE TO FACE? Can we conceive of the fullness of soul that will be ours when we enjoy Him FACE TO FACE? In the words of the hymnwriter,
“Face to face with Christ, my Savior,
Face to face – what will it be,
When with rapture I behold Him,
Jesus Christ who died for me?” (Carrie E. Breck)
This world holds no charm, no lasting thrill, for those who long to see Jesus face to face! God’s people journey on, straining in harness, to be with Jesus in His eternal love and joy. This is our goal, and this is our prize.
Christian friend, nothing in this world will satisfy your soul but Jesus. Here in this world, we have but a taste of glory divine, a taste that will become a FEAST in heaven. Fanny Crosby writes,
“Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine,
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine.”
Soon, yes very soon, we shall enjoy to our soul’s delight the delectable sweetness of our Savior’s love! We shall live in heaven in the sunshine of His grace, mercy, joy, and peace. It will not be long. So, live this day as a traveling pilgrim on your way to this happy celestial home. Enjoy Jesus, for soon you enjoy Him for all eternity FACE TO FACE!
Prayer: Dear Lord, deliver me from the temptations and distractions of this world, so that I may enjoy Jesus even more. I long to be with YOU! I seek You now, and I pray that the day will soon come when I will enjoy You in heaven forever. This is Your promise to me in Christ, and this is my daily sustaining hope. Thank You. Amen.