The Guarantee of Heaven
Adapted from Hearing from God Each Morning
That [Spirit] is the guarantee of our inheritance [the firstfruits, the pledge and foretaste, the down payment on our heritage], in anticipation of its full redemption and our acquiring [complete] possession of it—to the praise of His glory.
The Holy Spirit is our guarantee of the good things that are to come. I often say, especially when I feel really filled with the Holy Spirit, "This is so good, I cannot imagine the glory of what the complete fullness will be like." If we only experience 10 percent (a typical down payment) of what belongs to us because of our inheritance, just think of what it will be like to actually see God face to face, to have no more tears, no more sorrow, no more dying.
These thoughts leave me totally awestruck. In Ephesians 1:13–14, the Bible says that we are sealed with the Holy Spirit, and He guarantees that we will arrive safe, preserved from all destruction on the final day of deliverance from sin and all its effects. Think of the wonder of it—the Holy Spirit in us, preserving us for our final resting place, which is in not a grave but in heaven, in the presence of God. The Holy Spirit does wonderful things for us here and now. He speaks to us, leads us, helps us, teaches us, gives us counsel, empowers us to fulfill God's exciting plans for our lives, and so much more. But no matter how wonderful our experiences with Him are in our earthly lives, they are only a foretaste of what we can look forward to. We have the down payment, but there's more to come!
Prayer of the Day: Lord, thank You for the Holy Spirit, and the guarantee of heaven. Thank You for these glimpses of what the fullness of Your glory will be like. Help me stay to always stay excited, amen.
