“There is laid up for me a crown of righteousness.” 2 Timothy 4:8
Doubting one! You have often said, “I fear I shall never enter heaven.” Fear not! All the people of God shall enter there.
I love the quaint saying of a dying man, who exclaimed, “I have no fear of going home. I have sent all before me. God’s finger is on the latch of my door, and I am ready for him to enter.” “But,” said one, “Are you not afraid lest you should miss your inheritance?” “Nay,” said he, “Nay—there is one crown in heaven which the angel Gabriel could not wear, it will fit no head but mine. There is one throne in heaven which Paul the Apostle could not fill—it was made for me, and I shall have it.”
O Christian, what a joyous thought! Your portion is secure: “There remaineth a rest.” “But cannot I forfeit it?” No, it is entailed. If I am a child of God, I shall not lose it. It is mine as securely as if I were there.
Come with me, believer, and let us sit upon the top of Nebo and view the goodly land, even Canaan. Do you see that little river of death glistening in the sunlight, and across it do you see the pinnacles of the eternal city? Do you mark the pleasant country, and all its joyous inhabitants? Know, then, that if you could fly across you would see written upon one of its many mansions, “This remains for such a one, preserved for him only. He shall be caught up to dwell for ever with God.”
Poor doubting one, see the fair inheritance: it is yours. If you believe in the Lord Jesus, if you have repented of sin, if you have been renewed in heart, you are one of the Lord’s people, and there is a place reserved for you, a crown laid up for you, a harp specially provided for you. No one else shall have your portion—it is reserved in heaven for you, and you shall have it ere long, for there shall be no vacant thrones in glory when all the chosen are gathered in.
Adapted from Morning and Evening.
