A Reserved Place
by Malcolm Wood
Recently I had to travel on a train from Birmingham to Edinburgh. As so often seems the case these days, the train was extremely busy and vacant seats difficult to find. Passengers desperate for a seat were occupying seats reserved by others and were being asked to move when the person with the reservation arrived at their seat This happened in my case. When I boarded the train and located my seat, I found it already occupied. A careful look at my ticket and the electronic display above the seat confirmed that indeed it was my seat and reserved all the way to my destination. When asked to do so the person sitting in my seat moved to find a seat elsewhere.
This incident made me glad that I’d taken the trouble to reserve a seat, that the seat had been reserved for me, and that I was expected on that train! This made me realise afresh how important it is to know that we have a place reserved in heaven and that we’re expected!
The ticket price was paid for us by Jesus on the cross at Calvary. The reservation in heaven is assured as soon as we accept what He did there was for us, and start to apply what was made available through Calvary in our own lives.
Once we’ve taken that step Jesus assures us that He has personally prepared a place for us in heaven (John 14:2). So we are expected and one day we’ll be with Him.
As we ponder these truths may the hope and the assurance that they give become a source of increasing strength and help in these challenging times.
‘Blessed assurance Jesus is mine, O what a foretaste of glory divine.’
(Fanny J Crosby)
Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for reminding me afresh of the price You paid to ensure that I had a place in heaven, and thank You for preparing that place for me, and that I’m expected there one day. Amen.
Malcolm Wood and his wife Anna became part of the Ellel family as House Managers at Ellel Grange in 1990. Since then they have been involved with many aspects of the developing Ministry. From 2001 until 2015 they were Directors of Ellel Scotland where they hosted several International Schools and Operation Blairmore and helped pioneer the exciting Creative Inspiration Weeks. They have three sons.
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