"I have brought You glory on earth by completing the work You gave me to do." John 17:4

Why are we in this world? We are born, we play our part, we die. What is the purpose of this fleeting life? Why are we here? The age of the atom lends emphasis to such questions and fills us with frustration and fear.

The whole tenor of our text tells us that God did not put us on this earth by accident. No one lives unto himself. We are living for God's good, great, and gracious purpose. With Him, life in time leads beyond time. Life on earth prepares for life in heaven.

This is no life in pious idleness. Here also Christ is our example: "I have brought You glory on earth by completing the work You gave me to do." There is purpose enough for any and every follower of Jesus to be able to say in the end: I have completed the work God gave me to do, to work with and for Christ.

God's Son lived on earth in obedience to the Father's will. This will is to save the world. Before He walked to Calvary, our Lord spoke a prayer of farewell for His friends which outlined life's glorious purpose: "This is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent" (John 17:3). For this mission Jesus lived and died, and in this awesome purpose we are fellow workers with Him.

PRAYER: Gracious Savior, whose will with the Father is one, we thank and praise You for the gift of life eternal. Amen.

(Taken from "Words of Promise," copyright 1996 (out of print), Concordia Publishing House. For information on other devotional materials, call 1-800-325-3040.)

Today's Bible Readings: 2 Chronicles 36    Daniel 1-2    Titus 1

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