Life is Like a Vapor
Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.
James 4:14
When I read the above verse, I remember years past and realize how fast time as gone by. I am 75 years of age and it seems like yesterday I was 18. But walking with the Lord, I realize this world is not my permanent home — Heaven is my permanent home — and with this thought in our hearts we can live with optimism about the future.
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Psalm 16:11) The Lord guides us through our earthly life, and we have the fullness of joy knowing the Lord is with us and Heaven is our home. Knowing we will be living in the new sinless earth with the Father and the Son increases our desire to go to our permanent home. But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. (Philippians 1:23-24). Paul preferred to go be with Christ, but he needed to finish his ministry for the Lord.
Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13-14) Paul lived pressing on for the prize of being with Christ. The Lord wants us know him and experience him in our life, because our desire to be with the Father and the Son becomes more and more desirable.
Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:8) Like Paul, we had rather be away for our physical body and home with the Lord. Our physical bodies come from the earth and will remain with the earth, and we will get a new young perfect body that lasts forever, never ages, no aches or pains, no sickness, or sadness.
So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. (1 Corinthians 15:42-44) Our new bodies will crave things of the Spirit just as our earthly body craves things of the world. On earth Satan is the ruler of the air under God’s control, but in Heaven the Father and the Son will be the rulers of the air. Satan and his demons will not exist in Heaven and there will be no source for temptations.
Today know this life is temporary and Heaven is your home. Live today to the fullest serving the Lord, and live it with the Lord’s love, peace, and joy. Let God’s love in your heart destroy any fear from Satan. So we say with confidence, The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” (Hebrews 13:6) Satan cannot destroy your eternal soul which lives forever.
Prayer: Lord, help me to realize in my heart that this world is not my home, and Heaven is my home. Guide me in the Spirit to live each day to the fullest because I don’t know what tomorrow may bring, but I put my trust in you. In Jesus’ name, Amen