2 Corinthians 4:18

In our Christian pilgrimage, it is good, for the most part, to look forward. The crown lies forward, and the goal is onward. Whether for hope, for joy, for consolation, or for inspiring our love, the future must, after all, be the great object for the eye of faith.

Looking into the future, we see sin cast out, the body of sin and death destroyed, and the soul made perfect and fit to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.

Looking even further, the believer’s enlightened eye can see death’s river crossed, the gloomy stream forded, and the hills of light attained, on which stands the celestial city. He sees himself enter inside the pearly gates, hailed as more than conqueror, crowned by the hand of Christ, embraced in the arms of Jesus, glorified with Him, and made to sit together with Him on His throne, even as He has overcome and has sat down with the Father on His throne.

The thought of this future may well relieve the darkness of the past and the gloom of the present. The joys of heaven will surely compensate for the sorrows of earth. Hush, hush, my doubts! Death is but a narrow stream, and you will soon have forded it. Time, how short—eternity, how long! Death, how brief—immortality, how endless! I think I even now eat of Eshcol’s clusters and sip from the well that is within the gate. The road is so, so short! I will soon be there.

“When the world my heart is rending
With its heaviest storm of care,
My glad thoughts to heaven ascending,
Find a refuge from despair.
Faith’s bright vision will sustain me
Until life’s pilgrimage is past;
Fears may vex and troubles pain me,
I will reach my home at last.”