"At the end of time, we will all face the Lord and He will want to know how we used our time on earth to get ready for eternity. If we only live for earth, all we will receive is earth. But once we start living for heaven, earth is just a bonus to the eternal existence we will enjoy."

Read The Reality of Eternity, by DR Tony Evans at One Place.







Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them.

But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him - a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all.

So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever  has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.

Colossians 3:1-17

16 So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, "Your father charged before he died, saying, 17 'Thus you shall say to Joseph, "Please forgive, I beg you, the transgression of your brothers and their sin, or they did you wrong."' And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father." And Joseph wept when they spoke to him. 18 Then his brothers also came and fell down before him and said, "Behold, we are your servants." 19 But Joseph said to them, "Do not be afraid, for am I in God's place? 20 "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive. 21 "So therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones." So he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.   

Genesis 50:16-21


"We find in Joseph a kind of humble grace that deserves our thought and appreciation. His brothers had wronged him severely. They had sold him into slavery and death. Years later, as second in power to Pharaoh in Egypt, Joseph is given an opportunity for retribution. It would be easy to assume that God was providing a chance for him to even the score. What would you do if you were in Joseph’s place?

"I am amazed by how he responded. The posture Joseph takes is contrary to our sinful nature and wholly divine. Clearly the Spirit of God abides in him...

"Remember the place of God – to assume the seat of judge upon the souls of others is to forget the Lord has already filled the seat...

"Remember the place of Self – a recipient of grace. Perhaps we are offended in the present situation, but we have often assumed the other spot. Whether we recall the incidents or not, the Lord remembers countless moments when His grace was extended to us, undeserved...

"Remember the ways of God – they are righteous and pure. They have always been righteous and pure...

"Remember the ways of Self – they are prideful and distorted."

Read Remembering Our Place When Wronged, by John Henderson, at Bible Study Tools.


For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son
John 5:22

Who can say, "I have kept my heart pure; I am clean and without sin?"   
Proverbs 20:9

3 "For I proclaim the name of the LORD; Ascribe greatness to our God! 4 "The Rock! His work is perfect, For all His ways are just; A God of faithfulness and without injustice, Righteous and upright is He.    
Deuteronomy 32:3-4

44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.    
Matthew 5:44-45

David was having a rough time.  He had committed a grave error.  He had 'numbered' his people without God's counsel.  He was responsible for the death of thousands of souls.  He cried out for mercy, was given a choice, chose, and dealt.  In the end, David states, "O Love the Lord, all you His Godly ones!"  In spite of his errors, his sins, David loved the Lord, he stood firm and took the punishment for the error of his ways.  David is not unlike many of us today.  I admire him so!  He was not only a beautiful poet, an extraordinary musician, but this man eventually admitted the error of his way.  He cried out.  He confessed.  He bravely took the punishment.  As a result, David had deep and abiding love and respect for God.  He bowed down.  At long last, David submitted his will to his Maker.


1 I will extol thee, O Jehovah; For thou hast raised me up, And hast not made my foes to rejoice over me. 2 O Jehovah my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me. 3 O Jehovah, thou hast brought up my soul from Sheol; Thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit. 4 Sing praise unto Jehovah, O ye saints of his, And give thanks to his holy memorial [name].  5 For his anger is but for a moment; His favor is for a life-time: Weeping may tarry for the night, But joy [cometh] in the morning.            

6 As for me, I said in my prosperity, I shall never be moved. 7 Thou, Jehovah, of thy favor hadst made my mountain to stand strong: Thou didst hide thy face; I was troubled. 8 I cried to thee, O Jehovah; And unto Jehovah I made supplication: 9 What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise thee? shall it declare thy truth? 10 Hear, O Jehovah, and have mercy upon me: Jehovah, be thou my helper. 11 Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing; Thou hast loosed my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness; 12 To the end that [my] glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O Jehovah my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.

Psalm 30

"David had committed a sin. He had numbered the people. Now when a leader numbered the people, this was to prepare them for war. God was not in this numbering and offered David three choices of punishment: (1) seven years of famine, (2) three months of defeat, or (3) three days of pestilence or sickness. David chose the latter, whereupon 70,000 people died. David himself became ill. He built an altar on the threshingfloor of Araunah (perhaps this was the same spot as was Mt. Moriah where Abraham offered Isaac, and some even think it was the location of Calvary). There at the altar David is forgiven for his sin. The 30th Psalm is a Psalm of dedication of the altar built on the threshingfloor of Araunah. Can you imagine David with the blood of 70,000 people on his hands begging God for forgiveness?"
The Story Behind the Psalms

1.  In You, O LORD, I have taken refuge; Let me never be ashamed; In Your righteousness deliver me. 2 Incline Your ear to me, rescue me quickly; Be to me a rock of strength, A stronghold to save me. 3 For You are my rock and my fortress; For Your name's sake You will lead me and guide me.            

4 You will pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me, For You are my strength. 5 Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have ransomed me, O LORD, God of truth. 6 I hate those who regard vain idols, But I trust in the LORD. 7 I will rejoice and be glad in Your lovingkindness, Because You have seen my affliction; You have known the troubles of my soul, 8 And You have not given me over into the hand of the enemy; You have set my feet in a large place.            

9 Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; My eye is wasted away from grief, my soul and my body also. 10 For my life is spent with sorrow And my years with sighing; My strength has failed because of my iniquity, And my body has wasted away.  11 Because of all my adversaries, I have become a reproach, Especially to my neighbors, And an object of dread to my acquaintances; Those who see me in the street flee from me. 12 I am forgotten as a dead man, out of mind; I am like a broken vessel. 13 For I have heard the slander of many, Terror is on every side; While they took counsel together against me, They schemed to take away my life. 

14 But as for me, I trust in You, O LORD, I say, "You are my God." 15 My times are in Your hand; Deliver me from the hand of my enemies and from those who persecute me. 16 Make Your face to shine upon Your servant; Save me in Your lovingkindness.  17 Let me not be put to shame, O LORD, for I call upon You; Let the wicked be put to shame, let them be silent in Sheol. 18 Let the lying lips be mute, Which speak arrogantly against the righteous With pride and contempt.            

19 How great is Your goodness, Which You have stored up for those who fear You, Which You have wrought for those who take refuge in You, Before the sons of men!  20 You hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the conspiracies of man; You keep them secretly in a shelter from the strife of tongues. 21 Blessed be the LORD, For He has made marvelous His lovingkindness to me in a besieged city. 22 As for me, I said in my alarm, "I am cut off from before Your eyes;" Nevertheless You heard the voice of my supplications When I cried to You.            

23 O love the LORD, all you His godly ones! The LORD preserves the faithful And fully recompenses the proud doer. 24 Be strong and let your heart take courage, All you who hope in the LORD.   

Psalm 31

As was mentioned in the comments about the 30th Psalm, David chose the punishment of three days of pestilence. During this time he became severely ill, and while he was ill, he wrote the 31st Psalm. Throughout the Psalm you will find statements concerning the severity of his illness. As the Psalm is read, the reader should picture David in tremendous suffering for his sin of numbering the people.
The Story Behind the Psalms