The Last Struggle Before Heaven

In our previous blog we learned the importance of moving to Jesus is better and safer, than knowing that He will accept you. In this devotion we shall read the biggest hurdle Christian had to overcome before he reached heaven.

A couple of men called The Shining Ones appeared to Christian and Hopeful and informed them of the coming challenge crossing the river.

Christian and Hopeful asked them,

“How deep is the river?”

The Shining Ones Replied:

 “It will be deep as your doubt but as shallow as your faith.”

The moment Christian stepped into the river, he immediately began to sink.

Hopeful tried to encourage Christian saying:

“Cheer up, my brother I can feel the bottom, and it is firm.”

But Christian Responded:

“The sorrows of death have surrounded me; I shall not see the Land that flows with milk and honey.”

Christian overwhelmed by his doubts did not believe He was going to make it out.

Hopeful with his hand around Christian’s head, had the task of keeping his head above water. Sometimes Christian would be completely under the water and then, for a while he would rise again, half dead.

Hopeful tried to uplift Christian saying:

 “Brother, I see the Gate and men standing by it to receive us”

Christian Replied:

 “It is you, they are waiting for; you have been Hopeful and ever since I met you.”

Christian could not believe the angels were waiting for Him. Can you relate with Christian?

Have you ever tried to connect with God? Maybe by prayer, or reading the bible, but for some reason you did not find yourself connected with God as others are. This is how Christian felt.

Hopeful did not give up on his brother, but he continued to offer words of faith. Christian became thoughtful for a while at the words of Hopeful. From that moment Christian began to find ground to stand on, and eventually the river was shallow to him.

 This is when the story changed, instead of focusing on his doubts and past failures, Christian recentered his mind on the promises of God. When you have tried to do all that you can do, but nothing seems to be working, meditate on His promises, until your mind is filled with them.

Lastly, there is a Christian sinking somewhere out there who needs a Hopeful, but would that be you? Why can it not be you? Why does it have to be later?

Yes, I see your willingness to go and share. I do not mean to discourage you, but before you can go to share, how can you give what you do not have?

My friend, have Jesus now. Accept Him and entrust Him with all your plans and desires. Have a story with Him first, and then go to share to others, what a friend you have found in Jesus.