Light Dawns for the Upright

This life here on earth alone has a lot of questions. And beyond that the question may be asked: Will everyone enter heaven? Jesus warns that not everyone who claims to be his follower will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only those who do God's will, for example in the gospel to Matthew 7 [21]: Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of the Father who is in heaven.” And in order to remember, that message is also put into various pictures, for example the distinguishing between sheep and goats. And in another example the 10 bridesmaids: Matthew 25 [1 - 2 + 13]: At that time the Kingdom of heaven will be like this. Once there were ten young women who took their oil lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and the other five were wise. And Jesus concluded, “Watch out, then, because you do not know the day or the hour". Yet in another picture, the light dawns for the upright, as described in Psalm 97 [11]: Light dawns for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart. Not everyone will enter heaven, but it is available to everyone who is upright, who admits one's wrongdoings, who relies on the Lord's grace. Light dawns for the upright.Let's pray: Lord, you know everything. You know all the questions that we face, and you know the answers. You know every person's attitude deep down in the heart. You also know all the guilt and wrongdoing, the sin that separates us from your kingdom. Thank you that in your mercy you offer the possibility that we may return to you. Thank you that you offer forgiveness to everyone who is upright and repents. Thank you that you offer new beginnings and that you let your light shine for the upright. Help us to be honest and not only say "Lord, Lord" with our lips and not really mean it. May you rather send your Holy Spirit into our hearts to guide us through this life towards your eternal kingdom. To you be praise and glory and honor forever. Amen.