Assurance of Glory

“You shall lead me with Your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.” (Psalms 73:24)

This psalm was written by Asaph. He was the lead musician during David’s reign. In this psalm, he laments the prosperity of the wicked. Then when he realizes their end, he repents of his murmuring. He affirms that the Lord is with him and has always had his back. Then he makes the statement above.

Unlike the wicked, the Lord leads him with wisdom in all his affairs. He has the Lord’s counsel to live in this world. That is better than all the riches in the world. It’s power knowing that the Lord Who knows the end from the beginning is leading you through the obstacles and dangers of the world. (Isaiah 46:10) He leads with the wisest counsel because He knows all and sees all. We cannot and are at a disadvantage in this world. But with the Lord as our counsel, we cannot fail. We cannot falter. We cannot fall.

Following the Lord’s counsel, leads to eternity with Him. Asaph declares that the Lord Himself will receive him to glory. The Lord is the father depicted in Luke. Although the son has squandered his inheritance in a faraway land, the father is waiting for him to return. The father knows the perils of wanton living. And when the father sees the son coming far off, he runs to him and showers him with a robe, a ring and shoes, signifying he is back in his rightful place in the family. (Luke 15:11-32) The Lord is waiting for us in this age of mercy and grace, even if we disobey and falter.  The son who stayed at home and was obedient was always in “glory,” always blessed and with access to all the father’s possessions. Here is a picture of God’s children who stray but return to the Lord and a picture of those who are faithful until the end.

I knew a man who had been a drug addict but was delivered and was leading a righteous life. But because of his previous life and abusing his body, diabetes was ravaging his body. He lost his leg. Even if we are children of God, we sometimes have to go through the consequences of our previous life. God could have healed him. I don’t know if this man asked for healing. But because of his medical issues, he returned to drugs. When I saw him after this, he cried that he had fallen. He was so sorrowful that he had sinned. I told him to repent and go on with the Lord. The cross was not negated. The Blood of the Lamb is greater than our sin if we love the Lord because it wasn’t that he wanted to sin. He sinned in a weak moment. The Lord knows our heart, whether we disobey willingly or in a weak moment. It’s important that when we’re sick, suffering a loss or going through a difficulty to be alert. The devil will take advantage of our weakness to tempt us. When things are tough, even if we sin, RUN TO GOD! Run to the Father. He is waiting for us to return to Him.

When Jesus was with His apostles the last time, He prayed a high priestly prayer. In it He asks that those who believe on Him may see His glory. “Father, I desire that those whom You have given Me, that they may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me, for You have loved Me before the foundation of the world.” (John 17:24) Asaph had this revelation. He knew that because God was with him, he would be in glory with the Lord.  Of course, the Messiah had not appeared yet. But the righteous in the Old Testament knew the promises of the Messiah. Paul and Timothy both wrote (Colossians 1:1): “When Christ our Life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.” (Colossians 3:4)

In closing, we can surmise that even though the wicked may seem to prosper in this world, their end is perdition. But if we are faithful to the Lord and our faith even when persecuted, when tested beyond our ability or battling temptation, the Lord is with us even in a better sense than when the Lord was with Asaph. The Lord has chosen to make His dwelling place in us. In Asaph’s time, the Lord only anointed specific people at specified times and for specified purposes. If we fall and falter, like the prodigal son, the Father is waiting for us to repent and return to Him. And if we continue in faith and obedience keeping close to the Lord, we are assured of His blessings and glory without any doubt.