Week Thirty-Six - A Better Life

Psalm 63:3 says God's lovingkindness is "better than life." His thoughts and actions toward us are better than anything we can imagine. His loving care surpasses anything we consider precious or good, for all He has, all He is, and all He gives far outweigh and surpass our highest reality and enjoyment.

 "God's lovingkindness is better than food, better than peace, better than comfort, better than travel, better than sports, better than marriage, better than adventure, better than nature, better than every good thing we enjoy." (Dick Brogden)

We can't begin to fathom the fullness of Jesus' lovingkindness until we let go of the life we have made for ourselves. Life, as we designed it, is still too affected by sin and self. 

Are you trying to live with Jesus and for yourself? It won't work. It is impossible to run in two different directions at the same time. A better life comes only by living in one direction.

A life that is "better than life" is only truly realized in heaven, but we can begin to experience it now as we live under the shadow of His presence, where there is no iniquity and offense. We enter a better life not by trying to be good, but by accepting what Jesus has done for us and using our energy to seek Him.

A better life is marked by lips that praise Him. Lips that acknowledge the Lord. Lips that render thanksgiving. Lips that seek to bless Him by every word spoken.

And a better life is marked by practical living based on holiness and compliance with God’s Word. Does your life honor Him? Do your daily choices bring you into the place of blessing - where you are living out a better life?

A better life is marked by a soul that is satisfied with Jesus. Godliness with contentment - that is great gain. That is the goal of the better life. And it is evidenced in simplicity, a focus on Christ alone, rest in Him, and the absence of temporal clutter.

Some aspects of a better life can be experienced while on this earth, but oh, for the blessed promise of the better life to come. 1 Corinthians 2:9, "But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into he heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." or as Isaiah 64:4 says, "those that waiteth for him."

That eternal better life is coming, but that doesn't mean we can't taste a bit of it while we are here. He came to give us life, and to give it more abundantly now. You don't have to wait; draw near to Him, rest your soul in Him, seek His presence, and see if life doesn't get better day by day.

Adapted from: Live/Dead by Dick Brogden