The world around us is in turmoil. Hatred and strife and distrust abound. The pandemic hangs on with talons that won't relent. The world seems restless, and most especially, hopeless. But as Christians we know better. We know there is more. It's just sometimes we forget and we get caught up in the sadness and strife around us. The Lord tells us in 2 Corinthians 6:17 Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord. Don't touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you. We are not to live in restlessness and hopelessness as the rest of the world. We are not to be filled with hatred and fuel disorder.
Today, as I looked out the window at the woods across the street I saw the deadness of winter. The grass brown, the trees leafless, the sky gray and cold. But the Lord reminded me of another tree. A tree that will never go without leaves and fruit. The tree of life. Revelation 22:1-2 Then the angel showed me a river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. It flowed down the center of the main street. On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations.
There is a day coming when all will be made right. When death and sin will no longer hold sway over our hearts and the world around us. The One known as Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6) will return and bring life, justice, judgement and restoration. Look what the next verse in Isaiah tells us: 10 His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of His ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven's Armies will make this happen!
Hope lives. There will come a day of eternal spring. No longer will we fall under the winter of sin and death. Oh, what a mighty, awesome God we serve!
Revelation 22:7 "Look, I am coming soon! Blessed are those who obey the words of prophecy written in this book.
Revelation 22:12 Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.
Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! (Revelation 22:20b) Hallelujah!
Lord, thank Your for the message of hope. We need not look around in fear and anxiousness. Instead we fix our eyes on You and the hope of heaven and the promise of Jesus' return. Lord, you've given us the task of sharing this hope and revealing Your message to the world. We know that not all will turn to You, but we pray for You to prepare hearts before us to receive Your salvation. Lord, give us boldness this year to live out this hope and share it with all around us. The time is short. We must be about our Father's business. Lord, give us a holy fire, and a passionate heart for the lost. Lord, I lack here. I confess to You my complacency. Forgive me and help me. And thank You for the hope that lives in me. Come Lord Jesus! Amen.
Read the book of Revelation this year. Be prepared, be about His work.
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