Revelation 21:5a. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new.
And then it was Tuesday…Yes, Tuesday, meaning we’ve successfully gotten through Monday, sent it to the History dump, showing that there’s no need to fear the opening day of our work week, that we can handle it just as efficiently and capably as we handle any other day! So, let’s hope that when another Monday rolls around, as it most certainly will, we won’t be fearful and feel out of our league, for we are well able.
And whenever the devil tries to bring fear into our souls and spirits, let’s remember these most encouraging words of Bruh Paul to Timothy, and to consequently to all believers: ‘For God hath not given us a spirit of fear; but of power, and of LOVE, and of a sound (disciplined) mind.’ (2 Tim. 1:7) That ought to keep us strong in the belief that we can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens us. (Phil. 4:13)
And furthermore, that our wonderful, wealthy and generous God shall supply all of our needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:19) For He has promised that when we seek Him and His kingdom of righteousness first, that all of our needs will be met. (Matt. 6:33) So, considering all of that, there is no real reason for a believer to get tied up in stressful knots with fear and worry. End of Sermon! (smile)
And today, we’ll do some more contemplation from the Consider This Section of the In Touch April Devotional. So please consider this with me: ‘When the women arrived at Jesus’ tomb, (that’s on Easter Sunday morning), they’d come prepared for the worst. But they didn’t find a body to tend to – only a piece of cloth lying apart from the linen wrappings. They wept because they thought their beloved Teacher had been taken away. They didn’t understand that Jesus had defeated death or that His victory belongs to every believer.
We’re living in mortal bodies in a broken world, so it can be easy to forget something marvellous has already happened. The moment we said yes to Jesus, we began a journey toward wholeness – one we make with Him by our side. So when hopelessness is saying that things will never get better, remind yourself of this truth: The resurrection isn’t ancient history or a mysterious moment in the distant future. It is unfolding within us every moment of our life and will be complete when Jesus returns to make all things new.’
Now that’s indeed something to look forward to, because He’s promised in His Word: ‘And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.’ (Rev. 21:4-5)
Oh my fellow believers, what a joyful and glorious day that will be, when Jesus creates a new heaven and a new earth, and there’s no more negative effects of sin. In other words, that’s the day we’ll be free from the consequences and effects of sin. It’s a future guaranteed by Christ’s resurrection. And as one commentary says: ‘it fulfills God’s plan to restore, rather than merely replace the broken world.’
Yes friends, that promise of making all things new is ever so wonderful, because it offers us believers hope for a brighter and more glorious future while facing trials and tribulations here on this sinful and evil earth. And oh, I can’t wait to not feel the effects of pain, (smile) because it’s been my constant companion in one form or another over the last several years.
And having said all of that, we certainly cannot overlook possibly the most poignant and meaningful promise in all of God’s Word, one that we desperately need to cling to if we are to make it through this life with the success He’s planned for us. And yes, that’s a Bruh Paulian sentence, (smile) and it stems from his encouraging and reassuring words to the Roman church. ‘And we know that all things work together for good to them that LOVE God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.’ (Rom. 8:28)
Oh mih bredrin, those words give us the courage and strength to believe that in the long run, despite all our trials and tribulations, the Lord will eventually work everything out for our good. Wow! Remember, the Lord never promised that it would be all wine, women and song down here on earth, but that the end will be much better than the beginning or the middle. And we know that He is an ever-faithful God who never reneges on His promises.
Now that was not even the first time that the Lord promised to make all things new, but simply the last. For long ago, through the prophet Isaiah, He promised His people Israel thus: ‘Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. The beasts of the field shall honour me, the dragons (jackals) and the owls (ostriches); because I give waters in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen. This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth (declare) my praise.’ (Is. 43:18-21)
But unfortunately the Israelites were constantly disobedient to God, so they often felt His wrath. However, when the consequences of their disobedience were too great to bear, they would eventually awaken from their sinfulness and with sincere repentance, return to God’s fold, seeking His forgiveness. But sadly, with all the disobedience and tribulation in our current world, we’re not even wise enough to turn back to God with sincere repentance, seeking His forgiveness, so that He could make things better. That’s how prideful, foolish, egotistical and dumb we are!
But for the relative handful of us who see the problems and aspire to solve them, let’s go home declaring our Tuesday Mantra, letting the whole world know to whom we belong, lock stock and barrel. As one strong and sincere voice: ‘In God’s eyes, I’m not what I do. I’m not what I have. I’m not what people say about me. I am the beloved of God, that’s who I am. No one can take that from me. I don’t have to worry. I don’t have to hurry. I can trust my friend Jesus and share His LOVE with my immediate neighbours, as well as with the whole wide world! Glory be!’
Now, we are beholden to go out and share the amazing LOVE and friendship of Christ with others, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him like we do! Much LOVE!
…to be a successful Christian…one must believe that things will eventually get better…
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