«Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven» (Luke 10:19, 20).
«My greatest discovery,» the physician said, «is knowing that Jesus Christ is my Savior. »
If anything, Simpson’s answer reveals that he had his priorities in the correct order.
Today’s verse speaks precisely about putting priorities in the correct order. The disciples had just returned from fulfilling a mission, and joy filled their hearts. When they mentioned that even the demons vanquished before the name of Christ, He said to them: » ‘Do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven’ » (Luke 10:20).
So what, then, should be our greatest achievement, our greatest victory? It is not, by the way, our academic degree, or the wealth we have accumulated; or the fame or honor we derive from our triumphs; not even the victories we have obtained in service to God. As Jesus Himself put it, there is nothing in this world that surpasses the joy of knowing that our names are written in the kingdom of heaven.
The Lord’s words to the disciples remind us of those recorded in Revelation in relation to the church of Sardis: «He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels» (Revelation 3:5).
This is joy, my friend, at its maximum expression! The joy of knowing that «our citizenship is in heaven» (Philippians 3:20); to know that our names are in the book of life; and above all, to know that forever we will be in the company of the One who gave His life to save us.
And now respond with all sincerity: Is there anything of such immense value in this world that can overcome the value of sharing eternity with the One who saved us? Something so supremely great that it overcomes the promise that Jesus will live with us, that we will be His people, and that God Himself will be our God? (Revelation 21:3). Of course not, you don’t even have to bother comparing!
Dear heavenly Father, I thank You because, though I may lose all the material goods I have in this world, no one can take away the joy of knowing that my name is written in heaven.
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Taken from: Devotional Readings for Adults 2022
“GREAT IS OUR GOD!”
From: FERNANDO ZABALA
Collaborators: Xiomara Perdomo & Angelica Cuate