The true taste of heaven

 


In today’s Bible reading, Jacob heard God’s voice clearly—a promise to protect him and guide him until he returned home safely. After seeing the ladder reaching toward heaven, Jacob said, 'Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it. How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven' (Genesis 28:16-17).

Heaven is not a distant place; heaven is wherever God is.

Lord, sometimes I am like Jacob—fleeing from my own weaknesses, faults, and brokenness. Even so, let me hear Your voice. Remind me how much You love me, how closely You are with me, and how faithfully You will guide me until the very end. 

When Jesus breathed His last, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, the earth shook, and the rocks were split. Even the tombs were opened, and many bodies were raised. When the centurion saw all that had happened, he said, 'Truly this was the Son of God!'

Yes, Lord, it is good to confess that You were the Lord, but that is in the past. Let me not live in regret or look only at what has already happened. Let me not simply say that You were the Son of God, but let me declare with confidence that You are the Son of God—with me, here and now!

Let my heart be a gate of heaven. 

Let our churches be Bethel (the house of God). 

Let our country be filled with people who share the true taste of heaven with the world!"

I pray in Jesus Christ's name. Amen. 

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