25 Sep October 30th Daily Devotional

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON PAUL’S SECOND LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS

PREFER TO BE WITH THE LORD

2 Corinthians 5:8 “We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.”

The dictionary definition for prefer is:  “to like (one thing or person) better than another or others; to choose one over another.”  A simple way to think about the word prefer is to ask what is your first choice?  According to this same dictionary, an archaic definition is:  “promote or advance (someone) to a prestigious position.”

As you have been meditating with me on the words of 2 Corinthians, chapter five, the focus of these verses to this point has been on the fact you are a temporary resident here on earth.  Jesus has prepared for you a permanent residence in heaven.  Heaven is your preferred place to live.

Jesus was sent by God to this earth to earn and win for you your place in heaven.  Thinking of the archaic definition of prefer, God in His grace and mercy, through His Son Jesus, preferred to “advance you to heaven. . . to advance you to a prestigious position.”

Your faith in Jesus, leads to your “longing” (verse 2), to your preference to be with the Lord. (verse 8)  The thoughts of these first eight verses contrast your earthly life described in the Scriptures as “perishable” with your eternal imperishable life. (1 Corinthian15:42) The body in which your soul currently lives will die and decay.  The body in which your soul will live in eternity will be imperishable, glorified, and immortal.

This is what your faith trusts even though you have not seen it yet.  This is your hope.  It is the hope Isaiah wrote about: “those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:31) This faith and hope creates in you the longing for your home in heaven.

Note the discussion in Hebrews chapter 10 about this hope God has given you through His gift to you of faith in His Son:  “we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, His body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God,  let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.  Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:19-23)

Prayer:  Lord, I prefer to be with You for all eternity.  Send Your Holy Spirit to keep me in the true faith until the day when you call me from this mortal world to my immortal life with you in heaven.  Amen.

Immortal, invisible, God only wise,

In light inaccessible hid from our eyes,

Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,

Almighty, victorious, Thy great name we praise.

Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light,

Nor wanting, nor wasting, Thou rulest in might;

Thy justice like mountains high soaring above

Thy clouds which are fountains of goodness and love.

To all life Thou givest— to both great and small—

In all life Thou livest, the true Life of all;

We blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree

And wither and perish— but naught changes Thee.

Great Father of glory, pure Father of light,

Thine angels adore Thee, all veiling their sight;

All laud we would render; O help us to see

‘Tis only the splendor of light that hides Thee.

(LSB 802)