The Bigger Picture – The Presidential Prayer Team

Gather to me my faithful ones, who made a covenant with me by sacrifice. – Psalm 50:5

What is the point of having faith in God? Is it simply to get to heaven when you die? Is it to provide a moral compass for people to live their lives by? Does it point to something greater than this life on Earth?

The Bible indicates that Jesus is going to come back to Earth for a second time. When this happens, He is going to judge the whole world and set up His final kingdom. This judgment is described in two parts. The first is regarding those who have not chosen to follow Him. These people will be separated from Him eternally. The second judgment applies to God’s followers. While their eternal destiny with Him is sealed, they will have to give an account for their actions in this life.

Faith in Christ is so much bigger than just believing that God exists, going to church, or trying to be a “good person.” Faith looks forward to the return of Jesus and an eternity spent with Him. Desiring to be a good person and striving to obey God are things that believers ought to do. But you must not let these distract you from the bigger picture.

Take time today to meditate on the idea of eternity with God. Ask Him to give you a renewed sense of excitement and focus toward this wonderful, ultimate gift to look forward to. Pray over the nation, that God’s followers would also remain focused on the big picture regarding their faith.

Today’s Verse: Psalm 50:5

“Gather to me my faithful ones,
    who made a covenant with me by sacrifice!”

All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Recommended for further reading: 2 Corinthians 5:1-11

5 For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. ²For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, ³if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. ⁴For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. ⁵He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.
⁶So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, ⁷for we walk by faith, not by sight. ⁸Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. ⁹So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. ¹⁰For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.
¹¹Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience.