What do you suppose heaven will be like? I used to spend time dreaming about it as a kid. I imagined that skinned knees would heal instantly. An unlimited supply of cake and ice cream would be freely available, without making me sick or fat or regretful. The sun would shine but wouldn’t burn. Rain would come when wanted but wouldn’t spoil my plans or rust my bicycle.

It’s fun to dream about. And I bet God enjoys listening in to my fantasies. He is a God of love, after all. And He delights in blessing those who turn to Him with humility, trust, and obedience.

The problem comes when His children turn away from Him and reject His love. The blessings are rejected as well. This makes God very sad. So sad that He devised away to redeem me even when I have taken this dark path. Through Jesus, I can be forgiven and returned to the light of His blessings.

“No weapon formed against you will succeed, and you will refute any accusation raised against you in court. This is the heritage of the Lord’s servants, and their vindication is from me.” This is the Lord’s declaration. (Isaiah‬ ‭54‬:‭17,‬ ‭CSB)

Isaiah prophesied about this coming blessing, when the New Jerusalem arrives, heaven and earth are made new, and all those who choose to turn back to God are vindicated. He talks about a world without fear but full of beauty and justice and joy. He describes the heaven of my childhood, and current, fantasies. The best news is that it’s freely available to anyone at all who chooses God.

Dear God, thank you for your free offer of forgiveness and salvation. Thank you for the reward of a new world where evil is destroyed and goodness and love rule forever. I know no matter what I dream up about your kingdom, your version will be better that anything I can imagine. I can’t wait.