Psalm 9:17: “The wicked shall be turned into hell, / And all the nations that forget God.”

January 15th, 2024 by Pastor Ed in devotional

“There are only two certainties in life—death and taxes!” This age-old adage humorously speaks to the fact that we will all face death; there is no escaping it. But there is a third certainty that is just as inescapable and that is that there is life after death. Although most people believe in heaven and hell, there are some who refuse to believe in either of them.

Years ago John Lennon of the Beatles wrote a very popular song entitled Imagine. In the song, he encourages the world to imagine, among other things, that there is neither heaven nor hell. He envisioned a world where all people lived together as one, without selfishness. Is that possible? As attractive as the idea is, it ignores the fundamental and unchangeable—no matter how much we imagine or hope or try—problem of human nature, which is completely sinful and selfish. Some interpret the song as blaming organized religion for the lack of world peace, but of course the murderous atheism of Stalin in Russia, Pol Pot in Cambodia, and Chairman Mao in China proves otherwise.

As wrong as he got it, Lennon may have been trying to articulate the natural, inner longing we all have for our heavenly home, where all will be made perfect. God has hard wired all people to seek for and anticipate eternity. When asked, “What is heaven like?” Pastor R G. Lee said, “Heaven is the most beautiful place the mind of God could conceive and the hand of God could create.” Heaven invites everyone. God says to all: “Choose Jesus; choose life.” But only those who put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ may enter in.

“LORD, we choose You and to follow Your word this day.”