Exalting God, Edifying Believers, Evangelizing the Lost

The Ultimate City

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  07/18/20

For now, our minds are earthbound. We do not have the ability to imagine fully what heaven will be like. If we could, it would drastically change the way we live each day.

In heaven, we will not be concerned about the gold beneath our feet because our hearts and minds will be completely set on the one who has perfectly provided for our every need. We will be devoted solely to Him and His desires and not our own selfish ambitions.

Whether we know it or not, God is in the process of preparing us to live with Him for eternity. He is getting us ready for the day when we will inhabit His city. The trials and disappointments we face here are being used by Him to shape our character so that we reflect more of Him and less of ourselves.

The joys and the victories we experience on earth also teach us more about God’s faithfulness. When we celebrate His goodness, we are doing what we will do on an even grander scale in heaven.

You may love your city home. Perhaps you live on the socially positioned “right” side of town. Or you may despise where you live, feeling as though the poverty of your area confines and prevents you from reaching your goals and dreams.

God has a word for both situations: “Get ready—I am coming again. I have prepared a place—a city—where you will be with Me for eternity.”

You can get ready for His return by letting go of the things that bind your heart with a sense of pride or ideas that prevent you from seeing His future provision.

Prayer: Lord, right now I cannot imagine what it will be like to see You face to face. But I know it will be the greatest blessing—beyond anything this world has seen. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you” (Psalm 73:25).

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