by Jordy van Gaalen

Preparing for a Life to Come

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“The Lord rewards everyone for their righteousness and faithfulness.”
1 Samuel 26:23a NIV

Saul had been chasing after David in order to take his life. David had the opportunity to take Saul’s life, but David spared him. 

“The Lord delivered you into my hands today, but I would not lay a hand on the Lord’s anointed.”
1 Samuel 26:23b NIV

David clung to the hope of God’s promises. He kept running the race and pursuing God’s will. David trusted that God would take care of him and he also believed doing the righteous and faithful thing would not be fruitless. David has been running, alone, for his very life. Saul has been in pursuit to kill him. I’m sure that as time goes on, David becomes all the more tired and lonely and scared. And yet, because Saul was anointed King of Israel, God’s chosen one, David spares Saul’s life. 

In this life, there is so much more than just following a set of rules and doing good things. We are being prepared for heaven. We are preparing for heaven. There is a life beyond the one we live and move and breathe in currently. Especially in difficult times, it can be imperative to think about our heavenly rewards.

We may not receive rewards in the terms of earthly cause and effect. We may not receive profit in terms of earthly value, like wealth or status or a comfortable life. But God rewards all who keep the faith. 

There seems to be no better reward than an intimate relationship with the Creator of the World. With that, what else is there to gain? A perfect, loving, eternal relationship with a loving Heavenly Father. 

When we become discouraged or forget why we are making difficult choices, when following and obeying God’s Word feels fruitless, when we forget the reasons “why,” I think we can lean into verses like this. We can fix our eyes on heaven and on the eternal life awaiting us. We are not pursuing righteousness and faithfulness in vain. We are being prepared for a life in heaven, seeing our Father face to face.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado