Keep growing every day in Christ, and you’ll be like a star standing before the throne of God.
SHAUNA: This is Shauna on Joni Eareckson Tada: Sharing Hope. Here’s Joni with an Anglican hymn that she grew up on. You might not know it yet, but I know you’ll love it.
(Joni sings:)
Who are these like stars appearing, These before God’s throne who stand?
Each a golden crown is wearing;
Who are all this glorious band? Alleluia! Hark, they sing,
Praises to their heav’nly King
JONI: Who are these like stars appearing, for God’s throne who stand, each a golden crown is wearing, who are all this glorious band, hallelujah harp they sing, praising loud their heavenly king. Oh, friend, to me, that is such a glorious picture! And it is what I long and look forward to; it is what I work and strive for. Because the day is not long in coming when I will stand before God’s throne [you’re going to join me there], wearing a golden crown, praising my heavenly King. And so, I work out my salvation with fear and trembling. I make every effort to make my calling and election sure. In other words, daily I say no to sin, no to grumbling, no to complaining, and yes to thanking Him for things great and small. I say no to laziness when it comes to Bible reading, and yes to reading the Word daily with my husband Ken. I say no to putting worthless things before my eyes [like all the nasty, haranguing things you hear on the news these days], and I say yes to listening to Christian books on audible.com. I say no to competing and comparing and I say yes to showering accolades on others. Most of all, I say no to fear, and yes to boldness when it comes to speaking the name of Jesus.
No doubt about it. Salvation is something you’ve got to work at. Oh, I don’t mean that you earn salvation by your works – no way. But I do mean that you’ve just got to work out your salvation, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called, that God has chosen, just like it tells us to do in 2 Peter 1:10, “Make your calling and election sure.” But when you do that, oh, the confidence, oh, the assurance of that rich reward that will one day await you in heaven; the chance to stand before the throne of God, faultless and pure. Just to [picture this], just to wear the golden crown and to look around you and join your voice to this mighty chorus of praise to the Lord. It’s why I love the hymn I just sang, “Who are these like stars appearing?”
Philippians 2 says that when we live out our faith in front of others, “Then [we] will shine among them like stars in the sky.” So today join me in working out your salvation. Join me in working hard to confirm your calling and your election from God. Keep saying no to sinful habits and keep saying yes to righteous living. For as you do, you will be like one of those that Daniel the prophet described in his book, “Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and lead many to righteousness, they will be like the stars forever and ever.” So, there you are, you and me, as together we grow – and keep growing every day in Christ, and you’ll be like a star standing before the throne of God.
© Joni and Friends