Anyone and everyone who has made vital, life-changing contact with the Most High through Jesus Christ has already hit the lottery – big time. Think of it, millions and millions of human beings have no contact with their Creator whatsoever. Those in Christ DO have contact with the One who said, “I will give thee the desires of thine heart.” All that is required to cash that ticket is total, unrelenting submission to God’s Son. What manner of confidence and comfort would you enjoy if you knew that multibillionaire Bill Gates or Elon Musk knew you personally, liked you immensely, and earnestly desired to assist and help you in any way they could? Well, “the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth (Ohio, Kentucky, New Jersey) to show Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him” (2 Chronicles 16:9). We either believe that, or we do not believe it. If we truly believe it, then we will earnestly strive to make absolutely certain that our Lord has first place in our lives, allowing His Word to guide and instruct us as to how we are to live.
(Remember, the analogy of how the Bible is God’s instruction book for mankind, telling us how to get the best performance out of our bodies and lives, much like the instruction manual in a new automobile informs the owner thereof how to get the best performance out of their new car?)
I believe the greatest crying and wringing of hands will be seen when believers enter into the heavenly kingdom and then in an instant have their minds expanded to realize what might have been and enjoyed while they were still in their mortal bodies had they only obeyed God’s instructions given in His holy Word. They will shake their heads, whispering under their breath, “No, no, no….what a fool I was, how blind, how blind!”
For whatever days are left me, I enthrone Him in my heart. Forgetting the past, as commanded by scripture, I go on to perfection in Him. I enjoy life a thousand times more today than in any yesterday. I remember the angel’s warning given Lot and his wife and children as they fled from Sodom and Gomorrah, “DON’T LOOK BACK!”
Christ’s Aged Servant (Galatians 1:10-12),
Donald Wiley