Jan 25, 20192 min
Read Revelation 21
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." Revelation 21:1-4, ESV
Reflect
What causes me to feel hopeless at times?
Do I really feel like God dwells with me, right in the midst of the grit and sin of my life?
How can I really find this place of hope in my heart?
Sometimes when we read these promises from God, we understand them in an intellectual sense but miss the truth of the promises in our hearts. Eternity feels so far away, and our minds are focused on the here and now--on our present circumstances and hardships. Is God with me in the here and now? The truth is, God gives us hope today, for the moment we are living right now. Remember what Jesus told the disciples at the Great Commission: "I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Not just someday. But right now.
Think about the bigness of God, the fact that He goes before you and follows you from behind, protecting you on all sides, laying His hands on you and guiding you toward a deeper, more fulfilling life with Him.
Pray
Lord, help me remember that your hope is with me always.