Philippians 1:23 “For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:”
The Apostle Paul declared, “I am in a strait betwixt two”; that is, life on earth compared to life in Paradise with the Lord. As with Paul, we find that this life holds many great blessings and joys. The joy of a Church meeting together, loving each other, uniting in worship, and humbly submitting to the Lord is by far the greatest joy of this present world. Then there is the joy of fellowship with our family and friends. Then there is the joy of work, setting out upon a task and seeing it completed. Then there is the joy of rest when we are wearied by our labors. But, in comparing such pleasing things on earth to the glorious joy of being “with Christ” in His Paradise; Paul declares that the joy “which is laid up for” us “in heaven” (Colossians 1:5) far exceeds even the best earthly joys. He was simply encouraging us to keep a proper perspective of this life. Life on earth has its many blessings and joys along with its trials. But, while we live out our time on this earth, we ought to pause often to meditate with anticipation upon the promise that one great day we will be in the immediate presence of the Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior; a place that our Lord called , “paradise” (Luke 23:43), a place with magnificent joys that far exceeds all natural joys experienced while alive on this earth, a place “which is far better” than anything this present earth holds for us.