Rejoicing in the midst of trials and afflictions

Charles Spurgeon, et al.

(You will find it helpful to LISTEN to the Audio, as you READ the text below.)

Luke 10:20, "Rejoice that your names are written in Heaven!"

To others, you may be insignificant--despised, unknown, unimportant. You may be poor in possessions, sick in body, misunderstood by many, and even dismissed by fellow believers. You may be walking through valleys of pain, battling weakness, enduring loss, or carrying deep burdens that no others could realize. But dear child of God, lift up your eyes and take heart--your name is written in Heaven!

Not scribbled in pencil, not etched in sand, but written in Heaven--secure in the eternal book of God, sealed by the blood of the Lamb. You may be rejected on earth, but you are known and loved in Heaven. Your name, personally inscribed by the omnipotent hand of God, is known in the courts of glory. Angels may not know your name now, but they will when they welcome you Home.

Jesus turns His redeemed children away from both their successes and failures in this poor world, and points them to the everlasting treasure of eternity in Heaven. What happens here on earth may rise and fall, but what is written in Heaven is sure and steadfast.

Beloved, your name is not written in Heaven because of your merit, success, or popularity. It is there, because God sovereignly chose to set His love on you in eternity past. Then, in His infinite mercy, He effectually called you out of darkness, and into His marvelous light!

Though you are despised on earth, Heaven is your eternal Home.

Though suffering is your earthly lot, your future is glorious.

Though your life may appear insignificant, your inheritance is vast.

Others may not value you, but Heaven rejoices over you.

So rejoice--not in your temporal circumstances, or in what others think of you, but in what God has promised. You are His, and your name is forever written in Heaven. One day soon, you will hear the Savior call your name to welcome you Home: "Enter into the joy of your Lord!"

Suffering Christian, instead of dwelling on your transient earthly afflictions, "set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things! For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God!" Colossians 3:1–2

Regardless of earthly poverty, weakness, neglect, or suffering--your name is engraved in Heaven! Let this truth . . .
  comfort you,
  anchor you,
  and fill you with profound, unshakeable joy.

"Rejoice that your names are written in Heaven!"