Devotions - Wednesday, Feb 13

For the past two evenings I have been in conversations with students over what it means to be saved. I must acknowledge that last night's conversation (at our LCM Bible Study) was more satisfying than the first. In the earlier conversation, I felt as if the questions were seeking a particular answer.

The scriptures brought me back to this, this morning. Continuing in the same Psalm from which I quoted yesterday, Psalm 32:10 reads:

Many are the torments of the wicked,
but steadfast love surrounds those who trust in the Lord.

Too often when there is talk of salvation it turns to talk of existence in the sweet-by-and-by. We think of salvation as something that occurs after death, perhaps even as late as the return of Christ. We miss the Bible's teachings that salvation has already come to us; that it is a present reality as well as a vision for all eternity.

Walking streets of gold in some jewel encrusted city sounds appealing, but it does not overshadow the blessings which come my way as a result of God's steadfast love. God's love is with me now; God's love allows me to experience life and the world as a wonderful existence. My excitement of what lies ahead is informed by my experience of the goodness which has already come to me.

When asked what salvation is, my first and most heartfelt response is to say that it is the assurance that God loves me and the confidence that God will love me throughout all eternity. Informed by the visions in The Revelation, the end toward which all the saints are moving is the opportunity to surround the throne of God, casting our crowns before him, and singing his praises. When I get to "heaven," that is what it will be like for me. It is an eternal opportunity to thank God and serve him.

Pastor Chris