“The Dwelling Of God Is With Men”

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, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live 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

As you go through life you will face many bumps and scratches. Think about how good it will feel when all that goes away. No pain, no suffering, just glorifying God. Put aside your aches and pains and glorify God now. Now is not forever, heaven is.

The confidence we have as Christians is that God has something good planned for us. Suffering was not a part of His original act of creation, but it serves as a temporary reminder of what happens in a world where God’s order has been broken. It also motivates us to spread the word about God’s plan to redeem the world from the suffering caused by sin.

We cannot avoid pain and disappointment. Some sorrow will be relieved in this life, but all of it will be relieved when God finally and firmly establishes His new heaven and new earth. Now is not forever.

The gains of heaven will more than compensate for the losses of earth.

Our Daily Bread – August 10, 2010