⁴But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. ⁵God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children. ⁶And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” ⁷Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir.

Galatians 4:4-7

¹⁴The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him.

Ephesians 1:14

In this in-between time, God has showered his grace and mercy on humanity. Opportunity to be forgiven, redeemed and set free exists for anyone who calls on the name of the Lord. And when we call on the name of the Lord, God sets a seal in our hearts, a guarantee that our inheritance is sealed for us in heaven. That deposit is the Holy Spirit.

God’s presence, manifest in the Holy Spirit, walks with me every day. He protects, guides and teaches me. The Holy Spirit is love, peace, joy, patience, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. It is his presence that allows me to know comfort when life takes a hard turn, to experience contentment and abundance when finances are tight. He enables me to forgive when offended, humble myself when offensive and offer a helping hand to my enemy. He is the goodness of my life, the concrete expression of my confident expectation of heaven.

I proclaim that the kingdom of God is already here while I wait for the kingdom of God to be fully realized in the future.

Do you know heaven here on earth? Are you walking in the power of hope — hope because you are forgiven, redeemed and restored in relationship with your Creator — while you wait for the ultimate hope of eternity?

I pray that “your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given you!” (Ephesians 1:18)