The beginning of eternal joy

If you were at the Mass Choir concert this past Sunday evening, you witnessed the beginning of eternal joy. If you did not attend, you ought to go to the concert this coming Sunday at First Byron CRC. Hearing so many voices declare praise to our God sends shivers down our backs. “Beautiful Savior! Lord of all nations Son of God and Son of Man! Glory and honor, praise, adoration, now and forever more be Thine! Amen.”  Music like this has the power of God to give one such a feeling of joy, peace, and comfort that makes you want to weep because it is so beautiful. If you were there on Sunday, you probably experienced this. When we hear music like that, our thoughts should be directed to heaven. This thought reminds us that “we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven” (2 Cor. 5:2). This thought reminds us that “whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord” (2 Cor. 5:6). We are not in heaven yet, though we may desire that. Fact is, our bodies are our homes currently. This is our lot at this present time. In our current bodies, we do have the beginning of eternal joy that the Heidelberg Catechism in the beautiful question and answer 58 states; “What comfort takest thou from the article of “life everlasting”? That since I now feel in my heart the beginning of eternal joy, after this life I shall inherit perfect salvation, which eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man to conceive, and that, to praise God therein forever.” The beginning of eternal joy that is in us now is giving us confidence and comfort, directing our thoughts toward that day when we will be clothed in perfection.

No matter the troubles that come upon us in this life, our lot is good. We confess with David in Psalm 16:6, “The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.” When we realize how good we have it in life and live a life of thanksgiving to God, then we will also make the beautiful confession in the same Psalm; “Thou wilt shew me that path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures evermore” (v 11).

Young people, when you hear praise to God like the Mass Choir raised on Sunday evening, think of heaven, remember how good you have it, and confess with David, “in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures evermore.” Let this confession guide your life!

RK