There are many today who are given to despair. Many get depressed because they have no hope. Many children of God are given over to despair also. It has been said that the children of God should be the happiest people on earth. I agree.
We have good reason to be rejoicing everyday. The Lord Jesus said to the disciples after they returned from their preaching trip, Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven
(Luke 10:20). They had walked a great distance going from town to town preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God. They went with no money and with only the clothes they were wearing. They cast out devils and healed the sick and did many miracles. They rejoiced that they had such authority to command the devils to be gone from people. They were amazed and rejoiced greatly not thinking about the miles they walked, the fatigue of their bodies or any of the hardships they had suffered because people would not hear the message they brought. They rejoiced because the devils were subject unto them casting them out in the name of the Lord Jesus. That certainly would make me rejoice. They were careful to give the honor to the Lord Jesus saying unto Him, they are subject unto us in “thy name.”
But notice here the response the Lord gives them. …in this rejoice not…
Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, and John Gill believe that the Lord was saying here in this text let not your chief joy be in this that the devils are subject unto you, but in that your names are written in heaven. What a wonderful blessing the Lord has given us here. It is one thing to rejoice in the miracles that they were able to perform by the grace of God, but that ability may not last. But the fact that God's people, His children, are written in heaven is something that every child of God should rejoice in daily for that will never change. The Lord has written our names in the Lamb's book of life. Everyone of those written in that book will dwell in heaven someday. They will by God's grace live with the Savior in His presence forever more. Praise the Lord! I get excited thinking about it.
Heed this all you Christians. The Holy Father sent His Son into this sin cursed world to die on the cross for His lost people. Everyone that the Father gave to the Son to save he SAVED. He completed the work of redemption. Heb 1:3 reads in part …when He had by Himself purged our sins sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.
The Lord Jesus washed us white as snow. He took all of our sins and nailed them to His cross where they shall be remembered no more.
Praise the Lord that is wonderful and exciting news. This is a blessing to the mourning souls who can hear the message. This is a message that ministers peace to the hearts of His people, when they think on this and understand it. You and I have no reason to be in despair. The God of all comfort saved His people from their sins. They all will be with Him in heaven some great day. Let us think on these things. They will bring joy to our hearts. It is a balm unto the soul. It is the message of the gospel. It is the glad tidings from a far away land. It is a message from our Lord saying, Be of good cheer I have overcome the world and heaven is your home. Where I am there shall you be also. Praise the Lord for His wonderful grace. Let us heed the exhortation given us at the hand of the Apostle Paul, Rejoice in the Lord alway and again I say rejoice
(Phil 4:4).
In His love and mercy,
Elder Shannon Whipp