God Is Making All Things New - The Crosswalk Devotional - June 18
God Is Making All Things New
By Vivian Bricker
Bible Reading:
“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 21:5).
Whenever we spend time outdoors, we are reminded of God’s beauty. This is why I enjoy spending time outdoors. The beautiful blue sky, the shining sun, and the singing birds help me to remember that there is still hope in the world. Since my days are often spent in doctors' offices and clinics, it is a nice break to step outside and enjoy God’s craftsmanship.
However, if we do not pay careful attention to this beauty, we will miss it. I have noticed many times in my life that I have had a habit of rushing and missing out on these beautiful things. Rather than slowing down and fully absorbing the sky or the clouds, I'm just rushing from one place to another. Ever since I was diagnosed with an autoimmune illness, I have slowed down and started to take note of these parts of God’s creation.
One of my symptoms during a flare-up is extreme lethargy. I cannot move as fast as I would like, so I must take it slowly. This has been a blessing in disguise because it helps me notice all the little things in life: the blooming of the flowers, a few storm clouds in the distance, or the happy face of a stranger as they pass by.
If we slow down enough, we can notice all of these things. However, you don’t have to undergo a traumatic diagnosis to start appreciating all of the things God has placed in the world. Taking time to notice these things will help us have a healthier outlook on life. Even when things are not going upward, God is still good and in control.
On the other hand, sometimes we can notice all the bad things in life. It doesn’t take much to notice this, such as seeing our loved ones in pain, being diagnosed with an incurable illness, struggling with mental health issues, or witnessing the death of someone we love. There is hate, bullying, and mass killings going on every day. When we look at these things, we see the world has come a long way from how God created it.
God created the world perfect, but sin changed everything (Genesis 3:1-24). Illness, sickness, evil, and death sprang into being. This is why terrible things happen in the world. It is not because of God, but rather, it is because of sin in the world. The world has fallen, filled with all of us who are fallen sinners. We get hurt by others, and we hurt others, too.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
In the future, God will make all things new. The Bible tells us, “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 21:5). This is a tremendous promise given to us by God. The fallen world we are living in will be destroyed and recreated.
The evil and pain we see today won’t continue for all eternity. There will come a day when light finally reigns. No longer will we see anyone get sick or die. Instead, we will be living with the Lord in perfect harmony. He has blessed us by dying for us, and for all those who place faith in Him, we will be able to see the beautiful creation to come.
Therefore, trust in God as you slow down and notice these things. He is there through the good and the bad. We can appreciate the good while being aware of sin in the world. The good and the bad can help us be encouraged and yearn for better days. All things will be made new one day, and we will live in the New Heaven and Earth with God.
We can all lift our heavy hearts in praise for this truth. Regardless of what you are facing today, things will get better. Maybe they won’t get better today, but they will be healed and restored at the end of all things. Lean into the Lord, cultivate your relationship with Him, and focus on Him above anything else.
Have you taken time to slow down and look at the beauty of the Lord around you? In the same way, have you noticed the sin that is so prevalent in the world? How can you appreciate the good while acknowledging the bad things in the world? How does it feel to know God is going to make all things new?
Further Reading:
Isaiah 65:17-19
2 Peter 3:1-13
Revelation 21:1-27
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Everste
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