What Rejoicing!!!

The following blog entry is compliments of Pastor Leon Hiebert, Community Care Pastor of Generations Church, Andover, KS

Scripture: “You are the LORD God, who chose Abram and brought him out of Ur of the Chaldeans and named him Abraham.  Nehemiah 9: 7
I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.  Luke 15:7

Observation: For those who watched the rescue last night of the trapped miners in Chile, what an excellent picture we had of what it is like in heaven when a person trapped in sin is pulled out of the darkness to live in the light of the Son.  And consider those whose loved ones have recently made the transition from earth living to heaven living! Those waiting at the bottom of the shaft can rejoice with each one who makes it to the top, knowing that their turn will be coming soon. For those waiting at the top, what rejoicing as each person makes it through into the glories of heaven.  What elaborate preparations were made to bring those miners to the surface, but that pales in comparison with the preparation our loving Heavenly Father made in sending His Son to earth to make a way for us to be rescued.  The president of Chile was present to lend the support of his presence and to emphasize the importance of what was taking place. Even so, our Heavenly Father makes His presence known through the ministry of the Holy Spirit as we make the transition out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light and then from this life into the next.

Application: For those of us who have recently had a loved one lifted through the tunnel of death, leaving us behind, lets rejoice that they made it to the top as we await our turn.  For those of us who have loved ones still trapped in sin, let’s never stop digging rescue shafts with our prayers until they are pulled through to live in the light of Jesus.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we rejoice with those who have been rescued and their families. Amen.