The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Devotion based on 2 Timothy 4:18

The subject of “terror” and “terrorism” is all around us, isn’t it? Our country continues with our preparations to prevent it, or lower the danger, etc. The dictionary will say that “terror” is a sharp, intense, overriding fear. Fear of what? There are two kinds of terror that cause us to fear. As citizens of this earth, we fear sickness, injury, death, and the unknown sources that may bring them. There is also another fear—where will we spend eternity when we no longer live on this earth?

Our source of relief and protection from both kinds of terror is the same. Finally, all things are in God’s hands. Most importantly, we are saved from eternal terror because God sent his Son, Jesus, to be our Savior. While there is uncertainty here on earth, our eternity is certain because Jesus took our place. He lived perfectly in our place. God accepted Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection as payment for all the sins of every one of us. Jesus won, so we are assured of our place in heaven.

And while we are here? That same God who eternally rescued us has also promised to hold and guide us during this life.

When the apostle Paul wrote the words of our Bible reading for today, he knew his time on earth was limited. Was he in fear for his life? No! He knew that there is no terror when we are assured of God’s plan for our eternity. Our outlook is the same. God’s plan for us is the same. There is no terror in heaven.

Prayer: