Paul was “always of good courage” (2 Corinthians 5:6) in the face of death. His courage was not a temporary feeling or a passing emotion; it was a constant state of mind. He faced death cheerfully, with complete confidence. It was not that he did not love the people in his life, but he loved the Lord more. Life for Paul was a race to finish, a battle to win, a stewardship to discharge. Once the race was over, the battle won, and the stewardship discharged, Paul saw no reason to cling to this life.
The only reason for him to remain on earth was to serve God, and he stated his readiness to leave when that service was complete: For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing. (2 Timothy 4:6–8)
The reality of life in this world for believers, however, is that “while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:6). Believers communicate with God through prayer and study of the Word and have communion with Him through the indwelling Holy Spirit. Yet there is still a sense in which they are separated from God and long for that separation to end.
Psalm 42:1–2 expresses that desire: “As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God; when shall I come and appear before God?” “Whom have I in heaven but You?” the psalmist asked rhetorically, “And besides You, I desire nothing on earth” (Psalm 73:25).
The believer not only is well assured by faith that there is another and a happy life after this is ended, but he has good hope, through grace, of heaven as a dwelling-place, a resting-place, a hiding-place. In our Father's house there are many mansions, whose Builder and Maker is God.
Paul longed for the day when he would “always be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:17). That sense of separation caused Abraham to look for “the city . . . whose architect and builder is God” (Hebrews 11:10) and the Old Testament saints to acknowledge “that they were strangers and exiles on the earth” (Hebrews 11:13). It is only in heaven that believers will have intimate, unbroken fellowship with God.
We need to have a heart like Paul’s—yearning to be clothed with our heavenly form and to exchange this transient world for eternal joy. He wrote, “This perishable must put on imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality” (1 Corinthians 15:53). Our mortality will be swallowed up by a more abundant life (2 Corinthians 5:4).
Father, help us to live in that righteousness today, by the power of your spirit in us, with the freedom from sin you have given to us, and help us to be faithful ambassadors for you today. Thank you for your precious Word—your words of love, encouragement, wisdom, instruction, courage, and hope. Each morning, help me dedicate the day to you and trust your perfect plan. May I live each day guided by faith instead of fear, selfishness, or worldly desires. We come before you today with courage in our hearts, knowing that we are willing to be absent from this earthly body and to be at home with you. We claim the promise that you have given us, that we will be with you in eternity. Help us to live each day with this promise in mind, knowing that our ultimate home is with you. Give us the strength and courage to face any challenges that come our way, knowing that you are always with us. We thank you for your love and grace, and we pray that you will continue to guide us on our journey. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
