Sunday, November 5
Day 14: A Beautiful Future
Our Heavenly Father has made it no secret that we will experience hardships on this Earth; that there will be pain, loss, grief, suffering, turmoil, disease, natural disasters, wars, and injustice (John 16:33). The stream of bad news seems to go on and on. And unfortunately, our lives here on this Earth will inevitably encounter this brokenness until the day we depart. BUT THIS IS NOT THE END OF OUR STORY!
The entirety of the Bible is a testament to God’s eternal faithfulness. We see time and time again throughout Scripture that if God makes a promise, He will always keep it. This is why Revelation 21:1-5 is my favorite passage in all of the Bible.
SCRIPTURE
“Then I saw ‘a new heaven and a new earth,’ for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’
He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’ Then he said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.’”
– Revelation 21:1-5
Every time I read this passage, I am reminded that every hardship I experience is temporary. What we experience now is nothing more than a light vapor in the wind when compared to the literal eternity we will live with God when everything is made new. Because of our Lord and Savior, death has been defeated, sin has been forgiven, and Satan has gotten (and will continue to get) his comeuppance. When Christ died on the cross and rose again, He established a permanent future of peace and prosperity for all those who would believe in Him. THIS IS OUR FUTURE! And this is what I choose to focus my mind on.
PRAYER
God, life is hard. I’m tired of hurting. I’m tired of seeing the people I care about go through seasons of suffering. I’m tired of turning on the news and seeing endless injustices taking place here, near, and far. It’s exhausting. God, I need you.
Yet even though I am tired, I will choose to remember your faithfulness.
Thank you for saving me. Thank you for forgiving me. Thank you for preparing a place for me in your Kingdom. Thank you for your presence in my life today. Thank you for always having my best interest in mind. Thank you for being a promise keeper. I am so excited to see you face to face one day, but until then, I will put my trust in you. I will rest on your promises.
God, give me the strength to persevere today. Help me to experience a joy that only can come from you. Then, let me reflect that joy to the hurting world around me. Provide opportunities for me to share this hope I have with those who need to hear it. Allow me to share your good news as boldly as the television promotes the bad news.
I love you, Lord, and I receive your love for me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
By Colin Villanueva
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