Max Lucado Daily Devotional

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Simply put, we are not good enough to go to heaven. So what can we do? We could start doing good deeds. Perhaps if we do enough good deeds, they’ll offset our bad deeds.

The question then becomes how many good deeds? If I spend one year being greedy, how many years should I be generous? No one knows the answer to that question. A rule sheet can’t be found. A code has not been discovered. Why? Because God doesn’t operate this way.

God has been so kind to us. We have no way of balancing the scales. All we can do is ask for mercy. And God, because of his kindness, gives it. God turned over our sins to his Son. Jesus Christ died for us. He did what we could not do so that we might become what we dare not dream—citizens of heaven!

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I was seven years old. I’d had enough of my father’s rules and decided I could make it on my own, thank you very much! I got to the end of the alley and remembered I was hungry, so I went back home. Did Dad know of my insurrection? I suspect he did. Was I still his son? Apparently so – no one else was sitting in my place at the table.

Suppose someone had asked my father, “Mr. Lucado, your son says he has no need of a father. Do you still consider him your son?” What do you think he would have said? He considered himself my father even when I didn’t consider myself his son. His commitment to me was greater than my commitment to him. So is God’s. I can count on him to be in my corner no matter what! And you can too.

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Human love is convenient. It suits the needs of the person at the time and works into his schedule. God’s love is eternal. You’re always on his itinerary.

Human love is emotional. Hormones, sleeplessness, worry, past hurts, Mexican food—all complicate these emotions. God’s love is committed. While God has feelings for us, his feelings do not dictate his love. His love is based on a decision to love us. Your actions don’t increase or decrease his commitment. In fact, if you never love God, he will still love you.

One thing human love has going for it: you can see it. God’s love is just as real, but not quite as tangible. We will see it, in time and for eternity, as we gaze at the face of God and his Son, Jesus Christ, while we stand in the presence of God in heaven. And what a day that will be!

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On the unforgettable day when Patmos became Paradise, the apostle John saw what you and I will see. He saw One who sits on the throne. “Around the throne there were twenty-four other thrones with twenty-four elders sitting on them.” (Revelation 4:4 NCV).

The number twenty-four probably represents the twelve Hebrew tribes and the twelve apostles – the old Israel and the new covenant. The elders represent us, and what they do is what we will do. “They put their crowns down before the throne and say: ‘You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, because you made all things'” (Revelation 4:10-11 NCV).

I cannot wait to see you there. One glance into the eyes of the King and you will know heaven has only one head worthy of a crown. And it’s not yours, and it’s not mine.

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“God will praise each one of them” (1 Corinthians 4:5 NCV). What an incredible promise! God will praise each of them. That day is coming. Your day is coming. God will put a crown on your head and a hand on your shoulder, and he will bless you.

Each child you hugged, he will praise you for it. Every time you forgave, he will praise you for it. Every penny you offered, every truth you taught, every prayer you prayed, he will praise you for it. He’ll praise you for the day you refused to give in and the season you refused to give up. But most of all, he’ll praise you for saying yes to Jesus.

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Luke concluded his gospel with these words: “Jesus led his followers as far as Bethany, and he raised his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he was separated from them and carried into heaven” (Luke 24:50-51 NCV).

To be blessed is to be validated. Even today, in parts of Brazil a child won’t leave the house without his parents’ blessing. Walking out the door they will ask, “Benção, Papai?” or “Blessing, Father?”  They seek an endorsement from the most significant leader of their life—their father. They don’t want to leave the house without their father’s approval.

Perhaps you never knew your father’s blessing, never knowing how your father felt about you. If so, you, more than anyone, will treasure the moment in heaven when your heavenly Father blesses you.

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“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10 NIV).

The Bible speaks of a reward ceremony that will take place in Paradise immediately after the rapture of the church. This event is called the judgment seat of Christ. The Greek word translated judgment is bēma – the bēma seat judgement. This is not a trial to ascertain whether we are innocent or guilty, saved or lost. That judgment occurs during our lifetime.

The bēma judgment is about recognition. Salvation is based on the work of Christ for us. Our recognition is based on our work for him. Our deeds do not contribute to our salvation. Our deeds do, however, inform our reward.

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There is a crowning in your future. Not in Westminster Abbey, but in Paradise, and not by the Archbishop of Canterbury, but by Jesus. By this point we will have been raptured from earth and escorted into the presence of our Savior. And Jesus will have kept the promise: “I’ll come back and get you so you can live where I live” (John 14:3 MSG).

Millions, maybe billions, of people will have vanished. Graves will be vacant. God-rejectors will tumble into a cesspool of violence and pandemonium. At some point a despot will promise to restore peace. He will sign a treaty with Israel, and seven years of tribulation will begin. Thankfully, we will not be here to witness it. As the chaos begins below, the celebration will have begun above.

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The rapture of the Christians sounds fantastical. Yet, before you write it off, remember this is how God works. Did he not flood the earth? Did he not turn the Red Sea into a red carpet so the Hebrews could escape bondage?

God is the God of divine interruptions. Holy surprises. Who could have imagined God living on earth? But he came. Who could’ve imagined God hanging on a cross? But he died. Who could have imagined the empty tomb? But he rose from the dead. He intervenes in mighty and miraculous ways. He has before. He will again.

In the meantime keep an eye toward the sky, and live in such a way that Christ will find you faithfully looking for him. “Always be ready, because you don’t know the day your Lord will come” (Matthew 24:42 NCV).

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When will the rapture take place? Some Bible students place the rapture during the tribulation, others after the tribulation. It seems best to position it before the years of trouble. Jesus compared this moment to the rescues of Noah and Lot. Noah felt no raindrops; Lot felt no brimstone. In the same manner, I believe Jesus will emancipate his church, and we will not feel the evil of the Antichrist.

Also, Paul urged us to “encourage one another” (1 Thessalonians 4:18 NIV). How can we use the rapture message to encourage one another if we are going to face the Antichrist and the tribulation? If such were the case, Paul would have said, “Warn one another.” But he didn’t.

The rapture of the church is a reason for comfort and assurance. Yes, the tribulation is coming. But, yes, the church will be leaving. Consequently, be encouraged.

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