01/17/2019
Are you sorrowful, feeling the many pains of life, or otherwise suffering today? Well be of good cheer because a time is coming soon when the tears of your eyes will be dried forever by God Himself, and you will be led by Jesus Christ to founts of living water. For we as Christians the agony of the world is only temporary, but our joy in being with God is eternal.
“For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."”
Revelation 7:17 ESV
I have spoken with elderly people who have nearly lived out their days, and quite often I hear them say that they are ready to go on to be with the Lord. For them it is not a longing borne out of desperation or depression, but rather a weariness that stems from remaining cooped up in a dying body. For these saints, their life has just about been fully accounted for, and the river’s of tears their hardships brought have creased their cheeks like canyons. Yet, they also have faith in what lies ahead, and are ready to begin their final journey to the glorious presence of God.
“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 21:3-4 ESV
God is merciful, and compassionate; His mercy limits our suffering, and His grace through Christ assures us of our coming peace and joy with Him, and of the eternal covenant we have entered into by our faith in Jesus... to be with Him in eternity. But before this can happen we must fully live out our lives, and not miss a moment of its wonder, happiness, and yes... suffering.
“And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”
1 Peter 5:10 ESV
So don’t be faint of heart, but instead, lean on God as He provides us with strength, and have faith in Jesus as He leads us through our sorrows and travail, because these things will pass away, and the eternal covenant will be at hand. In this life we work, and do all the things that God wills as He perfects us, but there will come a time (that we know not) in which we will be called home to His love and glory, and there we will experience an eternal peace and rest in Him.
“Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.”
Hebrews 13:20-21 ESV
Take heart my friends, my brothers and sisters in Christ, because the Hand of God is upon you, even in your darkest hour, even in your times of suffering, and travail... and in due course He will wipe those tears from your eyes, and replace them with joy everlasting as His eternal covenant comes to fruition.
“Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”
Romans 5:3-5 ESV
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for this life that is filled with happiness, wonder, and great joy, but also is replete with suffering and mourning. I thank you in great happiness as I lift up my newborn children and praise you in awe and wonder for them, and I thank you in the midst of my pain and sorrow as you give me strength to see your hand through my tears. There is nothing to my life unless you are with me, and there is no hope without my faith in your Word that shouts of the love, and promises, you have made. Today I might be happy, or I might experience great sorrow, but no matter which one comes, my eyes will be fixed on your Son Jesus Christ, in whom I can see you, and be encouraged and bolstered by His voice that reassures me of your love, grace, and certain salvation. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God who dries my tears, strengthens my soul, and lifts me up before Yourself and says “I will make all things new”, and all suffering will be at end. Praised be Your name, and Your glory which knows no end.
Rich Forbes