God’s Word Encourages Us to Be Patient for His Coming

Week 41, Weekend

Karyn Wilton

Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return. . . . Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near. James 5:7-8 (nlt)

When I was a little girl, my elder sister drowned. I am told that I would ask my parents when she was going to return home. I would wait for her at the window, but slowly my little heart realized she was not coming home. I later learned that she had given her heart to Jesus the Sunday before she drowned. Her death changed the perspective of my life. I now had what I’ve called “heaven eyes.” Heaven became a real place for me at an early age. The thought of seeing my sister again was something that filled my heart with joy. Jesus became very real to me because I wanted to see my big sister, but the Holy Spirit convicted me that only those who had asked Jesus to forgive them of their sins and ask Him to come into their heart could go to heaven.

Very simply, one night while looking at the stars outside my bedroom window I asked Jesus into my heart and asked Him to forgive me of my sins. All of a sudden I knew I was not a permanent resident of this world. I would comfort my mother, letting her know that my sister would be finding out all about heaven and she would be able to show us around one day. I told anyone who would listen that my sister was with Jesus and that one day we would be with her forever and forever.

May we have heaven eyes today, knowing that our real home is with Jesus and that He will be coming back for us. That realization gives us a new perspective on our daily living. Let us live for Jesus with all our hearts, being patient for His return. We will worship Him, King of kings, Lord of lords. Hallelujah, what a Savior! Come, Lord Jesus, come!

Dear Lord, I long for that day when I shall see You face-to-face. Help me to be patient for that day as much has to be done before Your return. The fields are white unto harvest. We have to be busy preparing ourselves for Your appearing. One day we will declare, “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. . . . For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready” (Revelation 19:6-7). I want to be ready, clothed in fine linen, bright and clean, for I know that this fine linen represents the righteous acts of the saints. Help me to be busy with these righteous deeds as I wait upon Your appearing. I pray these things with my expectant heart. In Jesus’ name, amen.