The seventy-two returned with joy and said, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name."
He replied, "I saw Satan fall like lightening from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."
~Luke 10: 17-20
I am ashamed to say it, but as I reflected on these verses this past week, I realized that I take this precious truth for granted.
Jesus tells us to rejoice that our names are written in heaven. How often am I joyful over that fact? The Greek word for rejoice is chairo, and it means: "to rejoice exceedingly". (Which begs the question: When was the last time I rejoiced exceedingly over anything?) But this. How often am I celebrating His lavish gift of salvation with exceeding joy? Not often enough.
I've asked God to imprint this truth afresh upon my heart. May I delight in His gift of salvation. J O Y ! My name, Stacy. Written in the book of Life! God has reserved a spot in heaven for me. He has rescued me from death. He has invited me to be with Him-- for eternity. My life here on earth is but a breath; it is that short. But heaven? An eternity.
A refrain has been in my heart these past few days. And a number of times I've just had to burst out in song. It's the beginning of the chorus from a song by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. (I wish you could hear it with me, because these few words don't quite do this exuberant song justice.) Nonetheless, here they are:
Hallelujah! I am saved!
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