more happy but not more secure

I grew up in the Christian world of charts and maps and beasts.  I cut my eye teeth on the rapture, as it is called by the Left Behind authors.  But those details of the "end times" are no longer of any interest to me.

I will not give all my reasons.  But I will give the simplest one -- the focus of the Bible is not on the details, but on one fact: we shall see His face.  In this all Christians of all centuries agree.

Reflecting on this truth -- that Christ will return, judge the world, remove sin, and create a new heavens and a new earth -- led me to consider some old songs.  One of them had words I found quite stunning.

Toplady wrote that those who are in Christ when they see his face will "be happy but not more secure."  Think about that.

For someone who has been graced with the forgiveness of sin and has come to rest in the sacrifice of Christ -- seeing him will bring vast joy, infinite joy. We will be far happier than the happiest Christian now.  But, says Toplady, we will not be more secure.  Today I am as protected and kept by Christ as I will be on that day. 

Expand on that with me.  Will Christ love his people more then, than he does now? Will Christ delight in us more then, than he does now?  Will Christ exercise more power toward us then than he does now?

No -- I am as fully loved, fully accepted, fully forgiven, fully protected by God today as I ever shall be. I will see and taste it more clearly then, but I will be no more protected and secure then. 

So, look around. If you are in Christ today -- you are in the midst of a variety of personal trials.  And our society and economy are fragile.  H1N1 virus threatens you.  Blogs tell you that you have to watch out for pesticides on your food, not trust MD's, prepare for a certain natural disaster by storing food, etc.

On that day, you will face none of those threats.  But today you do.

On that day you will be loved, protected. cared for, secure forever.  Today you are just as loved, protected, cared for, and secure.

Here is what God says to his people in light of this truth: Banish sadness.  Fear not.